Emma Hayes graciously stated Arsenal's greater hunger and desire meant they deserved to win the League Conti Cup final.
Hayes' Chelsea side took the lead in less than two minutes against their London rivals through Sam Kerr. But Arsenal hit back with three goals of their own before half-time to claim the first silverware of the season and end the Blues' chances of a historic quadruple.
Most made Chelsea favourites coming into the final after they beat their London rivals 2-0 in the FA Cup last week. But they were left stunned by Arsenal's fightback and despite rallying after half-time failed to consistently trouble Manuela Zinsberger.
"After the start we had we then sat off," said Hayes. "The game after the equaliser showed the differences, between a team that has won a lot and a team that hasn't won a lot.
"We've won so much in recent years and they've won very little. Today was a reminder of all the work you have to do to stay on top.
"I thought their (Arsenal) hunger and desire in the duels was at a much better intensity than ours. The best team won, there is no doubt about that whatsoever.
"I'm disappointed with us. At the end of the day you have to win your battles and we didn't do that. "I think there was complacency in the performance. They wanted it more than we did.
"But congratulations to Arsenal I thought they were by far and away the better side.
Asked why her players were lacking the required desire to compete, Hayes was at a loss to explain the drop in standards.
"I don't know why that was," she added. "I'm sure we'll analyse it this week.
"Arsenal did very little different. I spoke to my analyst and the brought Foord in slightly narrower, but there was no other difference from last week.
"I had to make changes but it didn't do much for us."
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