Paul Merson was left flabbergasted by Chelsea's approach in the 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg defeat to Arsenal.
The Gunners claimed their place in the Carabao Cup final as Kai Havertz's breakaway goal in stoppage time sealed a 1-0 win and a 4-2 victory on aggregate.
Liam Rosenior's side, needing a goal to send the tie to extra-time following the five-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge in the first leg, took a conservative approach to keep the game tight going into the closing stages but hardly laid a glove on Arsenal.
Chelsea had 14 shots but just two on target to a backdrop of just 0.68 expected goals.
Merson said: "I'm flabbergasted. I can't believe what I've just watched. Chelsea aren't a bottom-five team. They have World Cup winners.
"[Wesley] Fofana is crying. He should be crying because they never had a go. They've gone out with a whimper in a semi-final. It hasn't worked. Go out in a blaze of glory, don't go out like that.
"They played in second gear. This is the semi-final of a cup.
"Chelsea have got the players to mix it with Arsenal. And they didn't have a go. If they'd have lost the game 3-0 but had shot after shot and Kepa was brilliant and they got broken on three times, that's the way it is.
"I've played in games like that where you come off and you think we just got beat and didn't really have a go."
lotabckouy
0
Arsenal has paid the final dowry and now Chelsea is our wife. 10 games win 7 draw 3. we own that blue bus now, fu*k them as we want Up Gunners
Win a single ECL trophy before you spew out that trash. Remember, there is no cup under this sun that Chelsea has not won. Useless Gunners who do not have bullets in their guns.
fuddelrt
0
Chelsea has given you sleepless nights because of the club world cup I think
BEREAL1990
0
Arsenal has paid the final dowry and now Chelsea is our wife. 10 games win 7 draw 3. we own that blue bus now, fu*k them as we want Up Gunners
with all your noise nah Trophy less Arsenal go later be lol
Zamadkluy
0
I 100 % agree with Mason. We had nothing to protect and we needed to beat Arsenal at all costs for us to progress. I really don't know what Chelsea were trying by stating a match without attacking wingers. We were supposed to attack from minute 1 to the end. We approached the game as if we are leading 3 nil. I'm disappointed not about losing, but our approach and lack of creativity. Ganacho, Palmer and Estavio should have started
Well said. I just don’t get how he put 3 of his best creative players on the bench in a must win game.
ksantos
0
Rosenior felt a he could hurt Arsenal using back three but, that formation demands a lot to get a goal and easier to score against, take notes from Amorim
Mbanoz
1
this Chelsea coach's approach to the game was wrong..Arsenal won the first leg but he went there with 8 defensive players while it was clear that Arsenal will play it low.. stupidy coach... he should have started the game with attacking, atleast if not but the changes was supposed to be made at exactly half time..... Arsenal is not a bottom league team that you think you can turn things in 10 minutes. never . l blame the stupid coach
MarionR
0
Talking is easy when you are not playing against a giant like Arsenal and a master tactician like Arteta. I am sure Chelsea players wanted to attack and score 2-3 goals but Arteta knew how to contain them.
yeteikluyz
2
I just think arsenal hv mastered how to play cup games. Most teams wen they play away they go with a defensive mentality. This guy was won at Stamford bridge. Tonite arsenal was only containing and frustrating Chelsea. Remember Chelsea needed 2 goals to progress and arsenal wasn't supposed to score. So balancing attack and defense against a team like arsenal is too hard.
NWOSE
0
Arsenal fought hard to protect the record as five Chelsea managers and their players have all failed to beat the Gunners.j
Kanilmz
0
Hahaha 🤣🤣 ehhh ehhh 🤔 hmmm maybe Chelsea has much of black players in their clubs than any other club in Europe POV.
Lacdekmz
0
The game should have been started like the second half with wingers
whycumonme
1
Arsenal has paid the final dowry and now Chelsea is our wife. 10 games win 7 draw 3. we own that blue bus now, fu*k them as we want Up Gunners
hehe
Brilliantmann
1
next time guys you tried...🤣🤣🤣
Nipeimprs
3
wingers are at starting of the game such that they can attack, this were the coach has made the mistake.
Joniknstu
5
As a real Chelsea blood fan am still disappointed with our this starting eleven
Lizcklnouz
0
coward football
jokdlopst
1
I 100 % agree with Mason. We had nothing to protect and we needed to beat Arsenal at all costs for us to progress. I really don't know what Chelsea were trying by stating a match without attacking wingers. We were supposed to attack from minute 1 to the end. We approached the game as if we are leading 3 nil. I'm disappointed not about losing, but our approach and lack of creativity. Ganacho, Palmer and Estavio should have started
faukrsz
5
Arsenal has paid the final dowry and now Chelsea is our wife. 10 games win 7 draw 3. we own that blue bus now, fu*k them as we want Up Gunners