Graham Potter cites what Chelsea lacked in Arsenal defeat with worrying stance on clubs’ position
Graham Potter admitted that Chelsea were second best in losing to Arsenal and hinted that the Gunners are way ahead of his team at present.
Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge. Gabriel Magalhaes bagged the only goal of the game on 63 minutes. The Brazilian defender managed to guide the ball into the back of the net after the Blues struggled to clear Bukayo Sako’s corner.
It was no more than the visitors deserved as they had been the better of the two teams leading up to the goal.
Potter was philosophical after the final whistle. And the former Brighton boss had no qualms about the destination of the three points.
“We played against a team in a really good moment, a confident team, so credit to them,” he told BT Sport. “The boys gave everything. We got into a few situations in the box but we missed that last little bit.
“Overall, Arsenal deserved to win. The goal is disappointing and over the course of the game, we don’t have too many complaints at the result.”
The triumph means Arenal are now two points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side. Chelsea sit seventh having failed to win any of their past four top-flight encounters.
That contrasts starkly with the Gunners form – a fact not lost on the Stamford Bridge chief.
“We have to look at where the two teams are at,” Potter added. “Arsenal are in a good moment, and have worked together for a long time and we’re in different phase.
“We tried to make it more of a London derby.”
Potter doubles down on Arsenal quality
Arsenal have surprised many with their consistency in 2022-2023. The Emirates outfit have now won 11 of their 13 league matches.
They have just a trip to face Wolves left in the league before the World Cup break.
Chelsea’s campaign is trending in the opposite direction. And Potter made no bones about the fact that Mikel Arteta’s men are in a better place at present.
“We lacked quality, but the effort was there and we were beaten by the better team today,” he added.
“It was not a great goal from our perspective, we defended those moments quite well.
“We didn’t function as fluently as we would like. There are always two teams on the pitch, and you have to understand where they’re from, and look at where they are at.”
Chelsea next face Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
They will then go up against in-form Newcastle United before attention turns to international football in the Middle East.
Blues fans will not panic at the result as Arsenal are flying at present. However Potter’s comments that his side ‘lacked quality’ might start the alarm bells ringing.
They have invested heavily in new talent but have yet to reap the rewards. The west Londoners were sixth when Thomas Tuchel was ousted as manager on September 7.
Potter did lift them to fourth but they are now back outside the Champions League places.
