Despite netting a late winning goal, Marcos Alonso was a huge weak-link in Chelsea’s side yesterday.
The 3-2 win over Arsenal was a terrific result in the end. However, looking deeper than his goal, Alonso put in a performance that must put his position under consideration.
Maurizio Sarri’s men made it two wins out of two. However, the Italian cannot be happy with some of the defending yesterday. Much of that poor defending came from the static Alonso, who consistently allowed runners to get beyond him.
POOR DEFENDING
The second goal in particular was a huge let-down from the full-back. Allowing Henrikh Mkhitaryan to stroll beyond him, the Arsenal man picked out Iwobi for the Gunners’ equaliser.
Hector Bellerin was another getting too much joy down Chelsea’s left-hand side. It was Alonso’s job to stop Arsenal streaming forward down that area and stop the cross.
However, both he and Azpilicueta were both extremely sloppy in the first-half in particular on either flank. Gifting Arsenal several big opportunities, only the Gunners’ profligacy cost them the result.
Sarri perhaps could’ve strengthened in the left-back position during the transfer window. However, he does have the option of switching Azpilicueta back to left-back. This provides Davide Zappacosta with a chance to return.
For Chelsea supporters watching yesterday, it was too easy to get beyond their full-backs. Arsenal could easily have been a few goals up at the break. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang missed two glaring sitters, as did Mkhitaryan before his goal.
It was a glaring deficiency in a side that’s usually so defensively astute. The defending had Sarri raging on the touchline, as he slammed his side for their gaps.
A better side than Arsenal would’ve exploited them. That will be the big concern after this weekend.
It’s also important to remember that Chelsea did in fact win the game. Alonso notched a terrific goal and put in some decent crosses throughout the contest.
Yet if Alonso is going to be a mainstay in this Chelsea side, he can’t be beaten so easily down his own side. This will be something both he and Sarri will be aware of.
It has to be rectified soon. Better sides can and will punish Chelsea. However, for now it can be chalked up as a minor blip.