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Chelsea 2-4 Arsenal: Three lessons learnt in abysmal defeat

By Gabe Henderson

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Malang Sarr of Chelsea looks dejected following Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal (not pictured) scoring their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Malang Sarr of Chelsea looks dejected following Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal (not pictured) scoring their sides first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal and Andreas Christensen of Chelsea FC in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 20: Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal and Andreas Christensen of Chelsea FC in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

2. The past always catches up with Chelsea

Chelsea transfer guru Marina Granovskaia has gotten a lot of things right over the last few years. The Blues’ Director is largely responsible for assembling the team that’s managed to win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup over the course of two seasons. Alas, nobody has ever accused Granovskaia of having the Midas touch. She’s made her fair share of poor transfer decisions during her time with the team and they all came to the surface at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening.

Romelu Lukaku was handed his first Premier League start in two months and it was obvious. The Belgian No. 9 and club record signing looked like a deer in headlights against Arsenal. It was a complete juxtaposition of his performance against the Gunners during his second debut for the club just a few months ago. Lukaku didn’t manage a shot on target and he had fewer touches during his hour on the pitch than Thiago Silva had mustered up during the opening 20 minutes of his night. All signs point toward the former Inter Milan striker departing this summer as the expensive experiment has not gone according to plan.

Furthermore, the Blues were punished once again for Granovskaia’s reluctance to sign another centerback in the summer transfer window. Jules Kounde came close to signing with Chelsea on numerous occasions last year, but it was ultimately decided that Trevoh Chalobah, Christensen and Sarr provided enough cover at the back for the time being. Fast forward to Wednesday.  Chalobah is rotting away on the bench as he receives the Fikayo Tomori treatment, unable to get game time for no reason other than a few mistakes this season. Christensen already looks to be sporting the navy and maroon stripes of Barcelona and Sarr isn’t starting quality just yet, if at all. Suffice it to say, the Blues could’ve used someone like Kounde against Arsenal.

Granovskaia’s blunders in the transfer market—along with the ownership situation—have created a lot of uncertainty at the club going forward. The past caught up to the Blues on Wednesday night and it’s just sped up the tough discussions that need to be had in the summer.

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