Chelsea coach says team must build on instructive lesson against Arsenal

Xabi Alonso wants Chelsea to learn from their 2-1 defeat by Arsenal after the London club surrendered an early lead and saw its three-match winning run end.

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I learned from the match. About ourselves, what we are doing and what we are starting.

Chelsea made the dream start away from home, scoring after just 77 seconds. But Arsenal soon imposed itself, equalizing midway through the first half before Martin Ødegaard scored the winner after the break.

Alonso said Chelsea spent 15 to 20 minutes after their goal defending too deeply and struggling to regain control. He described the match as close and intense, while acknowledging that his players could have defended Ødegaard’s decisive goal better.

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After our goal, there were 15 to 20 minutes when we had to defend too much, and we struggled to get control. Overall, it was a close and intense match.

The manager also pointed to a wider defensive concern. Chelsea have conceded seven goals in their first three league matches, despite showing several promising attacking moments. Alonso said the team remains at the beginning of a process and wants to start keeping clean sheets.

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This is a process. We are still at the beginning. We want to keep clean sheets, and that will come.

“The players are working hard and feel that we are heading somewhere where we can compete in every match,” Alonso said. He added that Chelsea were unhappy to leave without anything from the game but needed to remain calm and continue. Chelsea face Leeds at home on Wednesday in the English League Cup.

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The players are working hard and feel that we are heading somewhere where we can compete in every match. We are not satisfied that we got nothing from the match, but we have to remain calm and continue.