Craving Arteta-style continuity, Maresca targets raid on Arsenal to raise mood

Last week the coach felt the need to point out the differences between securing Premier League points and playing the game on PlayStation.

IN THE PINK: Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during a training session at at Cobham Training Ground, London. Pic: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.

Judged by the league table alone, it was easy to understand Enzo Maresca’s frustration at the reaction from some inside Stamford Bridge to Chelsea’s victory over Leicester City last Sunday.

It may have taken a solitary goal from Marc Cucurella to secure the win but victory moved Maresca’s side above Manchester City and into fourth place and to within six points of Arsenal ahead of tomorrow’s visit to the Emirates Stadium.

That, though, wasn’t enough to satisfy some fans who expressed their dissatisfaction at the manner of the win, prompting the coach to point out the differences between securing Premier League points and playing the game on PlayStation.

There’s little doubt Maresca possession-based style splits opinion and there were voices of dissent at half-time after Chelsea had laboured against an enterprising Copenhagen team in the Conference League last 16 tie. An improved second half display meant the evening ended on a positive note and ensured Maresca’s side will make the short trip to north London tomorrow having moved one step closer towards living up to their billing as standout favourites to lift European football’s third trophy.

Their main target this season, however, is to ensure they return to the Champions League next season. And with the alarming dip in form during the opening weeks of the year now seemingly behind them after a run of four straight wins, victory at Arsenal would put them firmly in the race to finish the best of the rest behind Liverpool.

“It could be a target, for sure,” said Maresca. “It's our duty to do our best, but at the same time, the target for us is Sunday's game. And then game after game to see how we can go close.” 

Maresca, though, insists there is still a significant gap between the the two sides. 

“It's quite big,” he said. “The reason why is because they are working with the same manager for five years, so the difference is quite important. With the same players, they have already played some important games.

“Our target, our duty, is to close that gap between us and them. In this moment, the table says the difference is six points, so we are quite close, but we still have nine games to go.” While the playing style of the two teams differ significantly, both Maresca and Arteta have been struggling with the same problem of a shortage of options up front.

With Nicolas Jackson sidelined, Chelsea are without a recognised striker and their problems in front of goal have been compounded by Cole Palmer’s current goal-drought that now extends to ten games. Arteta, meanwhile, has been forced to use midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker.

“It's quite a strange for both because we have all of them injured,” said Maresca, who confirmed Robert Sanchez would return in goal. “But I think they are trying to find a solution, we are trying to find a solution at the same time.

“Pedro Neto is doing very well in that position, and we see on Sunday if we see Pedro there or we change something, we're going to see. All the clubs during the season, they have a moment where they have injuries. So they need to adapt, they need to be flexible and try to find solutions.” 

If Maresca is able to do so tomorrow, the prospect of the head coach’s delivering on the target of a top four spot will move one step closer.