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Thomas Tuchel takes blame for Chelsea defeat by Arsenal after making seven changes ahead of FA Cup final

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel takes blame after making seven changes to line-up in Arsenal defeat on Wednesday night: "I'm not happy with my line-up. It's easy to say afterwards. But it was too many changes, I should not have done it like this"

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Thomas Tuchel says Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal was totally their own fault and feels Jorginho's mistake was a gift for the Gunners

Thomas Tuchel blamed his own team selection for Chelsea's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal, after making seven changes to his line-up ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final.

Tuchel suffered only the second defeat since taking charge at Stamford Bridge with the Blues unable to cut through a defensive Arsenal side who hung onto their 16th-minute opener, scored by Emile Smith Rowe after a Jorginho defensive howler.

That defeat, which opens the door for Liverpool to cut their cushion inside the top four to only a point, came less than three days before Tuchel will lead his side out at Wembley in Saturday's FA Cup final to face Leicester, who will enjoy a day more of rest having played Manchester United on Tuesday.

Having already made five changes to face Manchester City at the weekend from the side that beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, Tuchel kept only four players from that game to face the Gunners on Wednesday night - and admitted it had been a step too far.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Arsenal's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League

He told Sky Sports: "We had three days, we are on a good run, we had a good mood. The choices were not so good today from my side for the line-up so that's on me. We were unlucky, of course. But we did everything today to lose.

"I'm not happy with my line-up. It's easy to say afterwards. But it was too many changes, I should not have done it like this. It's something in particular - but I will not tell you.

The remaining games for the top-four race contenders
Image: The remaining games for the top-four race contenders

"I felt it a little bit coming yesterday in training. I'm a bit unlucky that it's proven today on the pitch. I regret... but it's like this. 'We could have [done this], we could have [done that]', and that's what it's all about.

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"I did not feel us in the same way involved, sharp with intensity and energy like the last game and these are the per cents who are missing today."

Tuchel further suggested his line-up may have provided a psychological shock to his team ahead of Saturday's final, telling his post-match press conference: "We all lacked concentration and focus, that is very unusual.

"Maybe I gave some signs to the team that Saturday is on my mind, even if it's only five per cent, or one per cent, that is not how you approach things and you get punished, because you cannot be naive."

Chelsea's result opens the door to both West Ham and Liverpool, who will sit three and one point behind them if they win their respective games in hand, but the manager took solace from the fact his side's fortunes are still in their own hands with only two games left to play.

"It was always a big fight," he said. "It's still in our hands. Another chance missed. But we had some good results so we have to cope now with a loss."

Pitch to Post Preview - FA Cup Final special: Will Chelsea or Leicester lift the trophy?

In a special episode of the Pitch to Post Preview Podcast we look ahead to this Saturday's FA Cup Final at Wembley, where Chelsea and Leicester will battle for the trophy in front of over 20,000 fans.

Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports News reporter Paul Gilmour and Sky Sports football writer Ron Walker to assess both sides on the back of their midweek results, the key areas which will decide the contest, and how the game will play out.

They also discuss what impact FA Cup glory would have on Brendan Rodgers' managerial career, the importance of Jonny Evans at the heart of the Leicester defence, and why former Foxes star N'Golo Kante could be the decisive player on the pitch this weekend for Chelsea.

Listen to the Sky Sports Pitch to Post Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox

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