Maresca Delighted With Chelsea’s Resolve After Hard-Fought Draw Against Arsenal

Enzo Maresca is pleased with the calm his Chelsea side showed in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal, a match he believes showed just how far the team has come under his watch.

Naija News reports that what should have been a straight tactical battle at Stamford Bridge took a sharp turn when Moises Caicedo was sent off for a high tackle on Mikel Merino, leaving Chelsea a man short for a long stretch of the second half. Yet Maresca’s side still managed to take the lead through Trevor Chalobah’s precise header.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Maresca could hardly conceal his satisfaction.

“The performance has been fantastic,” he said. “We were a much better team than them 11 v 11, but with 10 players, it is difficult, but we dealt with it outstandingly.

“11 v 11, we were better than them. We tried to exploit the best solution, the best space. We knew the space was for Malo and Estevao on that side.

“Tonight we can be happy even if we didn’t win.”

Even after Arsenal drew level, Maresca chose to focus on the bigger picture. He stressed that Chelsea’s development is no longer theoretical but visible in matches like this.

“We are better than last season. We are closer,” he said after the game. “We will see where we are in February/March. And then we will assess our target.

“We showed we are heading in the right direction. I always say the same. The performance has been fantastic.”

Sunday’s result leaves Chelsea third in the Premier League table after 13 matches, six points off first-placed Arsenal.

Source: Naijanews