EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has slammed his side's display against Arsenal as he apologised to fans following the 5-0 defeat.
The Blues suffered their heaviest London derby defeat in 38 years on Tuesday night, with the Gunners running riot at the Emirates Stadium.
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Leandro Trossard got the ball the rolling in the fifth minute, before Ben White and Kai Havertz helped themselves to doubles in the second half.
The result leaves Chelsea languishing in ninth spot in the table - 30 points behind table-toppers Arsenal.
And with the club now tasting 11 defeats in the top flight this season, Pochettino was quick to hit out at his side's 'unacceptable' and 'soft' performance.
Giving his thoughts on the mauling to talkSPORT's Sam Matterface, Pochettino said: "It's difficult to explain.
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"We started the first half in a very bad way, we showed no energy and we didn't compete, and in the second half we started in the same way.
"We were speaking a lot at half time trying to fix that situation, but it was so easy for Arsenal to score two [quick] goals in the second half."
Pochettino continued: "We didn't compete like a team, that is so clear. We are inconsistent for different reasons.
"To start the game in the way that we started is not acceptable, that is the problem.
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"After 70/80 minutes, OK you are tired and don't have the energy, but it was the start of the game.
"The way that we started was really painful, and I feel so disappointed because if we want to compete, we don't only have to go there and play football, we also have to have more energy and focus.
"That is the most difficult thing to explain."
Commenting on Chelsea suffering their worst result in a London derby since 1986, Poch remarked: "It's damaging to the players, the club, the coaching staff, everything.
"Everyone is damaged after this result, but the problem is to realise before when you're preparing for the game, if you want to compete, you need to realise that it's a London derby.
"All I can say is I apologise to the fans, I apologise to the people because I think the first and second 15 minutes [first and second half], 30 minutes in the game, we didn't compete.
"We were so soft, it's so painful, so painful."
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Pressed on his hurt following the loss, Pochettino stated: "You cannot ask me after losing 5-0 to Arsenal in a London derby to show my best face and be happy and positive.
"I need a few hours to recover, because I think it's not nice to see your team not compete during the game, and the way that we lose is so painful."