WATCH: Pochettino admits Chelsea ‘gave up’ in Arsenal thrashing but defends players | OneFootball

Mauricio Pochettino admits his Chelsea players “gave up” during their 5-0 thrashing by London rivals Arsenal but says he is not blaming them for the heavy loss.

Kai Havertz scored a double against his former club as the Blues were hammered by the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.

But despite the heavy defeat and acknowledging that his players “gave up”, Pochettino backed his young side and insists it is not all their fault.

“I feel disappointed, I feel really bad,” Pochettino said.

“The performance wasn’t good. We didn’t start the game in the way we are supposed to start.

“We were talking at half-time, that it is not possible to start the game like this ever. But we start in a bad way again, conceding two goals in this moment, I think the team gave up and we were not in the game.

“We are showing this inconsistency, that is why we are where we are. We are capable to have amazing performances and three days after, to be in extremes. Our standards are not sustained.

“When we have bad days, we are so bad. And then when we are good, we are capable of everything.

“I’m not going to blame the players. There are circumstances that are bigger than the players.”

Watch Pochettino’s full reaction here: