The Blues entered the contest with several key defenders, including Reece James, Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell, unavailable. This absence of defensive talent led to a challenging situation for the team, with observers expressing criticism of the young players who filled in for the absent defenders.
The team’s defensive struggles were evident, with one commentator describing it as the worst Chelsea defense they had witnessed in their lifetime, and another labeling it a “shambles.” The absence of defensive cohesion proved costly for Chelsea, as they conceded an early goal against Arsenal.
Along with the missing defensive players, Chelsea was also without star player Cole Palmer. This challenging situation left the team vulnerable in the match.
Prior to the game, Pochettino commented on the circumstances, although the specifics of his comments were not provided.
