Jonas Eidevall reacts to 2-1 defeat to Chelsea
Today at 11:53 AM
Arsenal were defeated 2-1 by Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Gunners got off to a poor start, conceding to Ramirez and Baltimore in the opening 15 minutes before Caitlin Foord pulled one back just before half-time. Jonas Eidevall spoke to the press post-match, the first two questions are from Arseblog News.
On conceding very similar goals to the ones conceded against Bayern on Wednesday…
It is extremely disappointing, we got off to a really poor start. We have conceded four goals from corners in two games, that is not sustainable if you want to be a top team. The way we defend the cross on their second goal is not good enough either. It's particularly frustrating because it is not how the pattern looks in the game, it is a one-off situation in the game. But of course, when you are playing against a top team that is enough to make that mistake for them to punish it.
Then the players show incredible character, incredible heart in getting back from such a difficult start, imposing our way of playing, finding our way back into the game again together with amazing support from the stands. We deservedly score a goal, we certainly had chances to score the second goal and the players work extremely hard to get those inches right. Unfortunately, we get the inches on the wrong side today.
On whether players lacked confidence in the final action in front of goal…
I think they work extremely hard to get the inches on the right side and we don't get it, it's the inches on the final pass and the inches on the finishing. The effort, I cannot fault and I think we create chances to score the second goal but unfortunately we don't.
On how damaging the defeat is for Arsenal's title ambitions…
It certainly doesn't help with league winning ambitions. But it doesn't change the perspective that you need to go game by game and do your best in every single game. There is no point in hiding from reality, it is a bad start to the season.
On whether he has been given assurances over his job…
I give absolutely everything today and in preparation for this game, I think you can see that the players give absolutely everything on the pitch. That is the part you can control as a coach, that is the part I can ask for from the players as well. I need to focus on the next match and the things that I can control.
On the steps he will take to win the next game…
To make sure we recover, to make sure we prepare and to make sure we give absolutely everything on Wednesday night.
On Mariona playing on the left, the right and the centre in the last three games and whether that is based on the opposition or finding partnerships in the team…
It is a combination of all those things, it is a mixture. I felt this would be the best way to start the game today and we had a different idea on how to finish the game.
On supporters who are frustrated…
I think we should see how much character and heart the players have for the club and that, I hope, gives supporters belief. And then I fully understand that people are disappointed when we don't win football matches. We are also really disappointed when we don't win, I am really hurting, the players are really hurting. We want to do better, I fully understand. Just as you are allowed to show emotion when you win, you are allowed to show emotion when you lose because they invest everything, they travel, they support us, they give us absolutely everything so I totally understand their frustration that we don't win football matches.
On the psychological damage of the last week…
It's an extremely tough week, playing away in Europe and playing teams like Bayern Munich and Chelsea with such a short turnaround against teams that, on both occasions, gets better prep time. Of course, that is very difficult. But, again, I have to look and see how the players respond today and how they work. When you see how much football we have been playing in the last week, it shows even more what phenomenal character these players have and how they keep on going in such an adverse situation and having this never give up mentality. It speaks even more volume of their character when you consider the context.
14.van Domselaar; 2.Fox, 6.Williamson, 3.Wubben-Moy, 11.McCabe; 10.Little(c) (32.Cooney-Cross '76), 13.Walti; 9.Mead (12.L.Maanum '66), 8.Mariona (25.Blackstenius '76), 19.Foord; 23.Russo
Unused: 1.Zinsberger, 5.L.Codina, 7.Catley, 16.Kafaji, 22.Kuhl, 62.Reid
The post Jonas Eidevall reacts to 2-1 defeat to Chelsea appeared first on Arseblog News - the Arsenal news site.
