EPL: Why Chelsea lost 2-1 to Arsenal – Xabi Alonso

Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, has bemoaned his side’s failure to control the game as they lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Blues were in front after only 90 seconds, after Morgan Rogers found space to drill in a shot from outside the box.

But the Premier League champions fought back to take all three points after goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.

Alonso, speaking to Sky Sports, admitted he was hurt by the defeat to their rivals.

He said: “It has been a very intense game with different moments for everything.

“We had chances to equalise. In the first half as well a couple of chances. Never happy if you lose.

“After we scored, there were 15-20 minutes where we had to defend too much and we were struggling a bit to get control.

“We then had better spells with the ball. Overall, it was a very tight, very intense game. We could do better with the second goal to conceded too early. The guys gave everything, tried everything. It has to hurt.