Why Did Chelsea Substitute Andreas Christensen In 4-2 Loss To Arsenal? Tuchel Explains

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has explained why he substituted Andreas Christensen in his side's 4-2 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League.

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah opened the scoring for the visitors at Stamford Bridge Wednesday before Chelsea's Timo Werner equalized the very next minute. In the 27th minute, Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe put his side 2-1 up before Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta netted an equalizer prior to the half-time break.

But while the home side failed to beat Arsenal's keeper after that, Mikel Arteta's men netted two more goals.

Tuchel removed Christensen, who played for 45 minutes, including a bad pass that led to Nketiah's goal, ahead of the second half.

"He [Christensen] said he could not continue so I think he had some problems and that's why. I don't take a player off because he makes one mistake. I have to also say the pitch is difficult to play here," Tuchel said after the game against Arsenal, according to Chelsea's media.

Tuchel also stated that the Stamford Bridge pitch was a "difficult" one that had already cost them the game against Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier this month.

"Maybe it sounds like an excuse but it is a very difficult pitch that we have here and it's not in our favor. The ball bounced very awkwardly in front of Andreas when he tried to play this ball and we also had the same mistake against Real Madrid that cost us in the Champions League," Tuchel said further.

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Nketiah became the first Arsenal player to score a brace against Chelsea in the Premier League since October 2011, when Robin van Persie netted a hat-trick, Goal.com reported.

After 32 games, Arsenal are placed fifth in the 2021-22 Premier League table with 57 points, the same as fourth-placed Tottenham. Antonio Conte's side are a place ahead because of their superior goal difference. Meanwhile, with 62 points, Chelsea are in third place.