This video can not be played
'Soft' Chelsea 'gave up' in Arsenal loss – Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino says his Chelsea side "gave up" during their damaging 5-0 defeat by Arsenal at Emirates stadium.
Having gone into half-time 1-0 down, the Blues conceded four goals during a devastating 18-minute spell in the second half as they fell to their heaviest defeat in a London derby since 1986.
Pochettino had made three changes to his defence for the game, opting to rest Trevoh Chalobah and Thiago Silva, while Malo Gusto sustained an injury during Saturday's FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City.
"It's not difficult to explain," said Pochettino. "Everyone saw we didn't compete from the beginning of the game.
"After we conceded the team was so soft. I'm so disappointed with the start because we're supposed to have full energy and compete better.
"We were not aggressive and we did not concentrate on situations where it is easy to find the solution. That is why I'm so disappointed."
Chelsea had gone into the match on an eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and an outside chance of qualifying for Europe next season.
But Tuesday's loss – their biggest of the season – leaves them ninth in the table.
"We were talking at half-time to start in a different way," added Pochettino. "But we did not. When we conceded the third goal the team gave up. It was tough on them.
"We competed really well against Manchester City, it was a fantastic game. But then we did not compete three days later. Maybe we were not fresh.
"It's not fair to talk about the players we are missing. From the start of the season we have been missing so many players every single week.
"The team showed a lack of capacity to resist – that is what is the problem."
Latest Chelsea news, analysis and fan views
Get Chelsea news sent straight to your phone
'Beacon of hope' – Sinfield's tribute to friend Burrow
Mbappe signs Real Madrid deal
Ex-Everton star Campbell 'very unwell' in hospital
Peter Parker swings into a tangled web of universes
Watch Marvel's blockbuster, multi-verse epic, Spider-Man: No Way Home, on iPlayer now
Japan’s last World War Two soldier to surrender
Hiroo Onoda spent 30 years fighting in the jungle, believing the war was still going on
Discover the rich history of the Irish coast
Join Ardal O'Hanlon on a fascinating journey in a realm where the ocean reigns supreme
Hack into the archives for codes, ciphers and secrets
Dr Hannah Fry unearths a fascinating selection of footage that will leave you puzzled
Real Madrid high-wire act brings Champions League glory again
'We want to bring our culture' – Uganda prepare for World Cup debut
Watch the best of Scotland's Euro qualifying win over Israel. Video
American Dream puts the world into World Cup
'That's absolutely flown!' – Blistering Wood delivery dismisses Azam. Video
Pace duo Wood & Archer bring excitement for England
GB's Hudson-Smith smashes European 400m record in Oslo. Video
The Dortmund fan one game from status as an icon
Madrid, Mbappe and a mission of a lifetime
Italy's oldest club, where tradition meets ambition
'We have Pele here' – when Wenger tried to sign Mbappe. Video
I needed this more than I realised – Hayes ready for new chapter with US
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
