Defeat a wake-up call, says Tuchel

CHELSEA manager Thomas Tuchel said his side’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Wednesday was their own fault and a “wake-up call” ahead of a huge end to the season.

Tuchel’s side would have all but sealed a Premier League top-four finish with a win, but instead are now looking over their shoulders after a poor performance.

Emile Smith Rowe’s first-half goal settled the London derby after a defensive mix-up by the hosts, in which Jorginho’s wayward back-pass was scrambled off the line by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

But Pierre-emerick Aubameyang teed up Smith Rowe to score.

“Totally our fault, nobody else’s. We lost, it’s totally our responsibility. We had huge chances. We made an own goal more or less – total gift,” Tuchel said. “We weren’t on the pitch with the same energy, it wasn’t easy to come up with the intensity and passing. We weren’t sharp enough, and didn’t have the same hunger and attitude as we’re used to playing with. So, it’s on us.

“It was maybe too many changes from the last match, and I take full responsibility for that. Maybe it’s the last wake-up call for all of us.”

With an FA Cup final tomorrow against Leicester City, Tuchel made a number of changes to his starting line-up.

It resulted in only a third defeat in 26 games in all competitions for Tuchel, and left Chelsea in fourth spot in the Premier League with two games to play.