Chelsea were thumped at the Emirates on Tuesday night thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and a brace apiece for Ben White and Kai Havertz. The Blues were without top scorer Cole Palmer due to illness but that does not explain their dismal defeat in north London. And manager Pochettino admitted his side can be a poor team at times.

In his post match press conference, he said: “Maybe with him, the team today, it could be in the same situation. But of course [Cole] Palmer is doing well for us and he is the only player we have to link all the lines of the team. When you miss a player like this, it is not easy. It was a great opportunity for some players to step up. We are showing this inconsistency and that is why we are where we are. We are able to have an amazing performance [against Man City] and then one like this. When we have bad days, we are so bad.”

After a good run of results, Chelsea’s season is threatening to unravel again. Despite putting in an encouraging display in the FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City, they are destined to end the campaign without a trophy and this rout at the hands of Arsenal could put pay their chances of qualifying for Europe – with seventh-placed Manchester United three points ahead of the Blues with six games left. Once again, the pressure is back on Pochettino.

Chelsea will have to get over this defeat fast as they travel to Champions League-chasing Aston Villa on Saturday night before hosting London rivals Tottenham next Thursday in two tough Premier League fixtures.