Maurizio Sarri aimed a dig at Arsenal after his side’s 3-0 win over Malmo in the round-of-32 of the Europa League.
The Chelsea manager is under significant criticism from the fans and pundits alike for his side’s poor performances of late.
The side was knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United at Stamford Bridge – the visitors’ first win at Chelsea’s home since October 2012. The loss came after Chelsea were humbled 6-0 by Manchester City.
Last night, however, Maurizio Sarri breathed a sigh of relief as Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 win over Malmo to enter the round-of-16 of the Europa League, where they take on Dynamo Kiev.
As Chelsea faces Manchester City again – this time, in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday, Sarri took a brave – and wrong, dig at Arsenal.
He stated that Chelsea are criticised for their performances while Arsenal are instead praised despite both teams performing at the same level – but are they really?
In a conversation with footballitalia, Sarri said, “I am not interested, to be honest. I have to think of my work as a big picture issue, otherwise, I’d do my work badly. So I continue along my path and nothing has changed, as far as I am concerned.
“I keep hearing people praise Arsenal’s season, but they are not in the Cup Final, they have fewer points than us in the Premier League and reached the last 16 of the Europa League just like us.”
He further insisted that he took over a side which finished fifth in the league last season and that his performance has been “acceptable” so far.
“I don’t understand why people act as if our season is so negative and Arsenal’s is impressive.
“I don’t understand why you think 50 points is fewer than 50 points.
“It’s true there have been many peaks and troughs, including some very deep troughs, but considering it’s my first season in a new league and environment, I think that’s acceptable.
“I did take over a team that finished fifth with 70 points.”
Earlier today, FIFA imposed a two-transfer window ban on Chelsea due to breach of international players’ transfer regulations.
