Chelsea manager Graham Potter was involved in a touchline bust-up with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta following a challenge from Marc Cucurella on Bukayo Saka.
The £65million summer signing went in for a challenge on Saka in the first-half which resulted in tensions boiling over in the dugouts. Referee Michael Oliver refused to give a free-kick with Arteta visibly enraged by the decision, whilst Potter felt Saka went down too easily.
Michael Oliver has been criticised by both sets of fans on social media after his refereeing performance with players on both teams getting frustrated with the stop-start nature of the match. Potter admitted that the Gunners deserved their win on the day and was critical of his own team's performance claiming Chelsea lacked 'fluidity'.
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Speaking after the defeat to Arsenal, Potter was asked for his opinion on Saka and whether criticism labelling him as a 'diver' is warranted. The Blues boss responded: "I think there was one action that was a little bit contentious shall we say, but I don’t think he is that type of player."
Chelsea are now 13 points behind the Premier League leaders and sit seventh in the table despite their big spending spree during the summer transfer window under new owner Todd Boehly. Potter warned Blues fans it will take time to turn the results around and insisted it will take time, referencing Arteta's time at the Emirates Stadium.
Potter said: “I’ve been here eight weeks and a lot has happened. We’ve had a lot to deal with and I’m sure if you look at the Arsenal story, where they are now as to where they were two years ago, one year ago.
“Its slightly different and I’m sure at times Mikel is getting pelters and that’s how it is. That’s the job, that’s the life and we have to deal with that."
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