Chelsea boss Graham Potter responds claims of Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka diving
Speaking in the press conference after the game (h/t Football.London), Chelsea manager Graham Potter responds to the question of whether Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka dived in the first half.
In the first half, Saka was in constant battle with Marc Cucurella and there were claims that the winger went down a bit too easily in some of the challenges.
Arsenal won the game by a goal, assisted by Saka through his inswinging corner for Gabriel to tap it in. The Englishman was a constant menace down that right-hand side.
Here’s what Potter said when asked whether the played dived (h/t Football.London):
“I think there was one action that was a little bit contentious shall we say but I don’t think he is that type of player.”
Nothing majorly happened in the game related to this that would require a highly emotional response. The worrying part was how meek Chelsea were in the game despite being the home team in a London derby.
It is now two defeats in a row in the league for them, four games without a win. This result has pushed them 13 points off the league leaders Arsenal. They are fast falling off the top-four race as well.
With the World Cup break coming up after next weekend, it is probably the right time for Potter to go away and reassess the strategies and hopefully come up with better plans for the next half of this season.
The manager did not have the pre-season with the players and came into the job when the intensity of the schedule got ramped up. So, he has had very little time to implement his ideas. Hence, the fans would be right to reserve their thoughts before judging the Potter era in terms of success or failure.
More Chelsea News:
- Chelsea confirms injured defender Ben Chilwell will miss the FIFA World Cup
- David Seaman heaps praise on Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and believe he would be a big miss on the weekend
- Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling names Armando Broja as the fastest player in the team
Chelsea have a Carabao Cup tie awaiting against Manchester City before a tough away game against Newcastle United in the league. Potter would hope to conjure up two good results before the break.