Chelsea blew their chance to increase their lead over Manchester City after losing 1-0 to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Enzo Maresca‘s side are currently fourth and just one point above City in the Premier League table but had the chance to enlarge that tiny gap with a win at the Emirates.
In the end, though, the Blues could not even draw with their London rivals. It was a fiery affair, with Enzo Fernandez unhappy with Gabriel after one moment in the match.
Some Chelsea fans would also not have been happy during the game, and Maresca was quick to realise that.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca apologises to Chelsea fans
Chelsea‘s performance against Arsenal was by no means their worst of the season, and it was undoubtedly much better than their awful showing at the Emirates last term.
In that game, the Blues were absolutely humiliated, losing 5-0. For some, that would have been the final straw with Mauricio Pochettino.
Whatever the case, Maresca clearly felt that he still had to apologise to the Chelsea fans following their latest defeat at the Emirates.
After the full-time whistle, the 45-year-old went to the away end and held his arms up in apology, as shared by journalist Simon Johnson.
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Maresca’s game plan was to try and control the game, and the Blues practically did that in the second half. They were unable to create any genuine opportunities, though, and walked away with nothing.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca does not need to apologise to Chelsea fans
Again, it was not Chelsea’s worst display under Maresca. Had the Blues had a clinical striker on the day, they probably would have left the match with something.
According to Sofascore, Maresca’s men finished the London derby with 59% ball possession so really did dominate.
Their xG, however, was only 0.35 so a lot more could have been done in attack. All in all, there probably have been some performances this season where Maresca and the team should have apologised, but their latest is not one of them.