Alonso: Defence is the problem we need to solve; Caicedo does not have a long-term injury

In the third round of the Premier League, Chelsea lost 2-1 away to Arsenal. After the match, Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso attended a press conference and answered questions from the media.

Hi, Xabi, it felt like the first half was very good and very even, but perhaps you lost some momentum in the second half?

Well, it was certainly a match where the momentum changed constantly at different stages. I think we definitely started well, scoring the opening goal. But in the following 15 minutes, they put us under a lot of pressure. Our defensive line dropped very deep at that time, and it was difficult for us to control the ball and create more attacks on the pitch. So yes, those 15 minutes were very difficult and we had to fight hard to withstand it. After we conceded, I think the game became balanced again, with both sides attacking and defending. Before half-time, we created a few good opportunities.

But we talked during the half-time break that this was a very tight and intense match. We had to stay extremely focused, not give them too many chances, stay close in the score, and keep fighting. Of course, for the second goal we conceded, we could have done better. But that is part of football, and you have to accept it because they are a top team that pushes you to your limits. They committed many players on the left side to create a numerical advantage, and then after Odegaard scored... but we kept fighting. The team showed excellent determination and fighting spirit until the end. We also had chances and came close to scoring. So it is a defeat and we are very disappointed. Losing must hurt, but it has to hurt in a positive way because this is only the third match and there are many more games to come, and we knew today would be a very intense battle.

Hi, Xabi. These kinds of matches are extremely intense, with very quick transitions between attack and defence. Is this the style of football you want your team to show? The two teams were so close...

No, I want us to compete. I want us to compete in the best possible way and win. From the first minute today, we did not want to sit deep defensively and wait passively, allowing the match to become too long. We wanted to show initiative, dominate through pressing, sometimes press high, sometimes defend in the middle and back areas, and maintain good possession. We did many great things, but there are also other areas where we need to improve, and we need to learn from them. Because this is top-level football. When we face top-level matches, we want to be effective and precise in every phase of the game. But this is where we are now, it is the third match of this new beginning and new stage. I am satisfied with the spirit and attitude shown by the players. They gave everything, they tried, and they fought very hard.

Xabi, you have conceded seven goals so far this season. Is this currently the top priority you need to solve so that the team can feel more in control of matches?

Well, my first priority is to win matches. To do that, not conceding too many goals usually makes winning easier. So without doubt, this is something we need to solve. We want to do better defensively, to be more compact, more targeted, and more balanced. But this also takes time.

Chelsea have not been particularly competitive at this stadium in recent years. In a match like today where you had to keep pushing forward, what did you learn from your team's performance?

Well, we wanted to compete, we wanted to win here, and we came here to win. We knew the gap was not that big, but the situation eventually went in their favour. We could have scored an equaliser, and then you never know what might happen next. But I am not saying... the result is the result, and I am not trying to deny it. We have to face it. Although we are unhappy, it hurts, and we are certainly disappointed, this is our first defeat in the league. It will be a long journey, and this will not have a major negative impact on our emotions or mentality.

Xabi, Arteta just said that today's victory shows his team can be better than last season. How do you think the course of today's match reflects where your team currently stands and where it is heading in the future?

Well, I only talk about ourselves. I think we will take many lessons from today's match for the next game, just as we did after our matches against Fulham, Luton and Brighton. We want to extract all the lessons from every match so we can improve. Not only when we win, but also when we lose. This is the development process we are currently in. We want to build strong principles and ideas for our football, and ultimately win by competing in the best possible way.

Xabi, can I ask about Caicedo's current situation? Obviously he has not played much recently. Is there a concern about a long-term injury?

No, there is no long-term issue. It is mainly about assessing the risk. Maybe we brought him back too early last week, and I do not want to make the same mistake again.

In a match like this, you particularly need a midfielder who can play at his high intensity for 90 minutes. Without a player like Caicedo, it is difficult to win these kinds of matches. You also mentioned Colwill, because the absence of these key players weakens the defensive spine of the team...

No, after a defeat it is easy to talk about the players who were unavailable. I do not want to blame it on that. I am happy with the players we have available. Of course, you have to deal with injuries. Without doubt, Mikel also has to deal with injuries. All coaches have to face suspensions and injuries, and it is impossible to have every player available for every match. But we do need them because they are top players, and with them we will be a better team.