In the early hours of this morning, Chelsea drew 1-1 with Arsenal at home in Premier League Matchday 13. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca attended the post-match press conference.
What are your thoughts on this draw?
Sometimes you can be happy with one point. We were the better team when it was 11 vs 11, but the red card changed the course of the game.
Adjustments after the red card
In the previous game against Manchester United, we made consecutive substitutions after the red card because the opponent used 5 players in attack. Most of the time, our performance is judged by the result, and we lost that game. Everything we did tonight was because we thought it was the right thing to do. Sometimes what you do works, sometimes it doesn’t. The players performed exceptionally well tonight.
Can James continue to play like this on Wednesday?
No, actually not. Sánchez also played very well. When you’re up against Arsenal with only 10 men, you need special performances like James and Sánchez delivered. We have another game on Wednesday, so we need to manage James’ physical condition and control his playing time.
Do you think Arsenal defender Hincapié should have been sent off for elbowing Chalobah?
Yes, I think that was a red card. Caicedo’s was a red card, but why didn’t Tottenham’s Bentancur get a red card for the same stepping foul in our previous game against Tottenham? We can’t understand. In fact,Hincapié’s action was a red card. I asked the referee, but he said it wasn’t an elbow. However, Chalobah’s eye was swollen, and he had to have ice applied at halftime. But referees have different standards.
Is Chelsea a contender for the Premier League title this season?
I think – I have to say it again, because sometimes I have to repeat the same thing – if we are still in our current position in February or March next year, then we will compete for the title. But you need to take it one game at a time. Undoubtedly, games against opponents like Arsenal, Barcelona, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain give the players confidence.
