Terry: Chelsea need to be better at using the art of game management, Arsenal excel at it

After Sunday's defeat to Arsenal, John Terry believes Reece James should have put more pressure on the referee after Dibu Martinez went down in pain, saying Chelsea need to better understand the art of game management. Arsenal's players are physically strong, and they are best at this approach.

The new Chelsea side rebuilt by Xabi Alonso had hoped to prove they had the ability to challenge for the title at the home ground of the defending champions.

The Blues made a strong start, with Morgan Rogers scoring early to give them the lead. But Arsenal's quality and match experience eventually prevailed, as the Gunners secured a 2-1 victory.

Although Terry saw many positives from the defeat, he believes it was a lack of defensive intensity and lapses in concentration that led to the defensive mistake during Havertz's equalising goal.

"Reece should have dropped back and closed this space. Then Havertz would only have been able to go down the outside and use his weaker foot to deal with the ball. But there was space left, and Havertz cut inside and finished with his left foot," Terry said on his own channel.

The club legend also said that Chelsea missed an opportunity early in the match when Martinez was struck on the head by Gabriel Magalhaes.

The Arsenal defender received no punishment. But Terry believes that if Chelsea's captain on the pitch and other key players had put more pressure on the referee after seeing their goalkeeper go down in pain, VAR might have intervened.

"I think we missed a great opportunity to get Gabriel sent off," he added.

"At that moment, the closest players were Hato and Joao Pedro. If it were me, seeing my goalkeeper in that much pain, I would immediately go over to the referee and say: 'Ref, he clearly kicked the goalkeeper in the head,' putting pressure on the referee."

"I know people do not like that kind of approach, but we are here to fight for three points and challenge for the league title."

"I think we need to be better at using the art of game management. Arsenal's players are physically strong, and they are the best at this."