A little deflated but Chelsea boss sees the positives, promises better - and offers Caicedo update

First reverse for Alonso to get to grips with : Picture by @YTJourno

Xabi Alonso suffered his first setback as Chelsea boss as the Blues fell 2-1 at the Emirates in a high-intensity clash - but insists the outlook is fine with so much of the campaign ahead.

Despite the encouragement of an early Morgan Rogers strike for his side, the Gunners fought back well to take the points - ending the Blues' perfect start to the new season.

"It was a game with different momentums and different stages," Alonso reflected after the game. "I think we started well the game, scoring first and the next 15 minutes, they were really pushing us hard. we were defending low and struggling to get out and play a little bit more. After their goal it became more even.

"It was a very close game. Very intense and we had to have a very high level of concentration - not to give many advantages and to be in the game. For sure with their second goal we could have done a little bit better - but they are a top side and they push you to the limit.

"But we kept going. The team showed good desire and good spirit to fight until the end and they were close with the chance from Este [Estevao].

"We are disappointed. It needs to hurt, but it needs to hurt in a positive way. It's just game three and there are still many games to play. I want to compete in the best possible way - to win and from the first minute we didn't want to sit deep and to wait and make a long game. We wanted to be active and be the protagonists with our pressing and have good possessions.

"We had many right things, other things that we need to make better. we need to learn from them because this is the top level and to be at the top level we need to be as efficient in all the phases of the game.

"It's early but I'm happy with the spirit and the attitude of the players. They have given everything. They have tried and they fought really hard."

Asked about the troubling detail of seven goals conceded in the first three Premier League matches, Alonso said: "My priority is to win games and for that its easier if you don't concede so many goals, so for sure this is something we need to address.

"We want to do better, to be tighter, more clinical and have more balance but these things take time. This result doesn't have a big impact on our mood and our mindset."

Chelsea could have done with Moises Caicedo in the engine room - especially with Enzo Fernandez no longer at the club - but his recovery from injury is being managed more cautiously now after he broke down after coming off the bench against Brighton last week.

"It's about assessing the risk. Probably last week we took him back too early and I don't want to make the same mistake again," Alonso said. "