Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca declared Arsenal the “masters” of set pieces after they fell to a narrow defeat in the Premier League on Sunday.
Makeshift forward Mikel Merino scored the only goal of a game in which the Blues failed to create any clear cut chances, flicking the ball beyond goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with his head from a corner.
“I think we were in the game until the end,” Maresca told Sky Sports. “There was not a big difference in the two games between us. Given the injuries, we fought until the end.
“After the international break, we can have more players back like Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke for the final sprint.”
Arsenal ‘masters’ of set pieces as Chelsea boss accepts defeat
Chelsea were missing their preferred front three at the Emirates Stadium as Cole Palmer was left out of the matchday squad due to an injury. But Maresca believes his side coped well with the absences.
“We competed well, the game was there,” the Italian continued. “They scored a set-piece, they are masters at that. It is a shame but my feeling is that we are going in the right direction.
“We controlled the game, we created some chances. In the second half we were there. Overall, I think we competed very well.”
The defeat dents Chelsea’s hopes of finishing inside the top five and qualifying for next season’s Uefa Champions League. The west London outfit remain fourth in the Premier League table with several clubs hot on their heels.
