“We win and lose as a team”, said Conte.
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“I said this before we have two defeats and this message is good for the present and for the future”.
Spain worldwide Fabregas was restored to Conte’s side for the EFL Cup victory over champions Leicester last week – he scored twice in a 4-2 extra-time win – and also started on Saturday against former club Arsenal. Chelsea hadn’t even allowed a league goal to Arsenal since January 2013 before this capitulation.
Fellow Londoners Tottenham Hotspur are a point ahead of them at the second spot while Manchester City are at pole position with a flawless record of six wins from as many matches for a tally of 18 points. For this reason we must be humble and understand the moment and that we need to work a lot to improve and change our story.
The Italian admitted that his side can now be considered great only on paper given their recent performances.
The former Juventus and Italy coach is the 12th Chelsea manager Wenger has faced since he was plucked from near-obscurity in Japan by Arsenal in September 1996. But the Blues have conceded nine in their last four games in all competitions.
And it is this, he believes, which could see them utilise the three centre-back formation in the future.
Chelsea fell to a heavy loss at Arsenal and defender Branislav Ivanovic conceded the visitors had failed to follow their boss’ game plan.
Once again, Chelsea’s defence was ripped apart easily with a slick passing move the visitors could find no way of disrupting.
And their pacey start to the game continued as they doubled their advantage within three minutes, Walcott tapping home Hector Bellerin’s cross after a slide-rule pass from Alex Iwobi.
Summer signing Granit Xhaka came on for Coquelin, with Wenger having again frustrated some fans by leaving the Switzerland worldwide on the bench despite two goals in his last two appearances.
Ozil was at the heart of things once more, spinning away from N’Golo Kante and galloping forward on the break to receive a chipped return ball from Sanchez.
The Frenchman said his side had been “nearly perfect” in the first half.
“We started this game in a bad way, and from the first minute”, Conte explained.
Willian flashed a drive across goal wide and Eden Hazard had a shot blocked as Chelsea’s creative talents sought a response, but their humiliation continued five minutes before half-time.
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“It’s one of those moments as a manager when you think: ‘Today is a great day.’ In the first half it was almost flawless”.
