Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix insisted that his side were unfortunate to leave the Emirates Stadium empty-handed following their 2-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday. Despite a spirited performance from the visitors, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners managed to overturn an early deficit to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season.
Chelsea may be left to rue a massive missed opportunity in the transfer market as Fermin Lopez continues his sensational rise at Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder, who has become a focal point for Hansi Flick, was reportedly available to the Blues last summer, but a deal collapsed over a valuation dispute.
Bruno Guimaraes has offered a fascinating insight into the mentality of Mikel Arteta, describing the Arsenal manager as "very obsessed" with continuous improvement. The Brazilian midfielder, who arrived in North London this summer, believes the Spaniard's relentless drive is the primary catalyst behind the Gunners' perfect start to their Premier League title defence.
Chelsea suffered a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium after finishing the match with two natural right-backs in midfield despite a £349m summer spend. Questions over squad depth persist as manager Xabi Alonso prepares his side to bounce back in upcoming fixtures.
Chelsea forward Morgan Rogers has insisted that the club's long-term trajectory remains positive despite suffering their first defeat of the Xabi Alonso era. The Blues saw their winning streak snapped at the Emirates Stadium, but Rogers is adamant that the squad is still in a period of significant transition and growth.
Emi Martinez is still in the process of finding his feet at Chelsea, but Robert Huth has told GOAL why the World Cup-winning goalkeeper’s “win at all costs” mentality will ultimately serve the Blues well. The Argentina international has been taken to Stamford Bridge as an upgrade on Robert Sanchez, as he boasts the kind of “character” that his shot-stopping predecessor lacked.
Rayo Vallecano
