Sarri plays down Kepa row
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri insists Kepa Arrizabalaga's refusal to be substituted in Sunday's Carabao Cup final was a "big misunderstanding".
Sarri had tried to bring Willy Caballero on for the former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper in the closing minutes of extra time when the match against Manchester City was still goalless.
Kepa appeared to be struggling with cramp but refused to be substituted even though the change had already been displayed to the stadium by the fourth official.
Sarri remonstrated with Kepa to leave the pitch but the goalkeeper ignored the Italian and was involved in the penalty shoot-out, which Chelsea eventually lost 4-3.
"It was a big misunderstanding because I understood that he had a cramp. So I didn't want a keeper (to) go to penalties in that physical condition," Sarri said afterwards.
"The goalkeeper wanted only to let me know that he was in condition to go to the penalties. It was only a big misunderstanding. Kepa was right, but in the wrong way.
"I want to talk with him because he needs to understand that for a misunderstanding we can (get) in trouble, especially with you."
Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Southampton on Sunday has left Chelsea struggling to finish in the top four of the Premier League for the second campaign in a row.
They face Tottenham in a crunch game on Wednesday and can be backed at 6/4 to win the London derby and at 6/1 to do so by a two-goal margin.
Chelsea are currently available at 6/5 to finish in the top four.
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Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri insists Kepa Arrizabalaga's refusal to be substituted in Sunday's Carabao Cup final was a "big misunderstanding".
Sarri had tried to bring Willy Caballero on for the former Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper in the closing minutes of extra time when the match against Manchester City was still goalless.
Kepa appeared to be struggling with cramp but refused to be substituted even though the change had already been displayed to the stadium by the fourth official.
Sarri remonstrated with Kepa to leave the pitch but the goalkeeper ignored the Italian and was involved in the penalty shoot-out, which Chelsea eventually lost 4-3.
"It was a big misunderstanding because I understood that he had a cramp. So I didn't want a keeper (to) go to penalties in that physical condition," Sarri said afterwards.
"The goalkeeper wanted only to let me know that he was in condition to go to the penalties. It was only a big misunderstanding. Kepa was right, but in the wrong way.
"I want to talk with him because he needs to understand that for a misunderstanding we can (get) in trouble, especially with you."
Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Southampton on Sunday has left Chelsea struggling to finish in the top four of the Premier League for the second campaign in a row.
They face Tottenham in a crunch game on Wednesday and can be backed at 6/4 to win the London derby and at 6/1 to do so by a two-goal margin.
Chelsea are currently available at 6/5 to finish in the top four.
Source: bet365.com
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