Chelsea make Enzo Maresca sack decision after Arsenal defeat

Chelsea's support for manager Enzo Maresca remains unwavering despite Sunday's disappointing defeat to Arsenal, a report has revealed.

Having been viewed as outside title contenders in December, a miserable run of form has left Chelsea battling for a spot in the Premier League's top four. Defeat at the hands of Arsenal leaves the Blues fourth in the standings but having played one game more than Carabao Cup winners Newcastle United, who are just two points behind.

While defeat away at Arsenal was a predictable result for Maresca's out-of-form side, fan frustration continued to mount after a bitterly disappointing performance which managed to combine 59% possession with expected goals of just 0.36 - the lowest of any game of Maresca's reign to date. Mikel Arteta's claims that Chelsea are the best attacking team in the division have only heightened tensions among a fanbase which does not feel the same.

Chelsea have now won just four of their last 13 Premier League games - those victories coming against sides currently occupying 16th, 17th, 19th and 20th in the standings - but BBC Sport state the ownership remains committed to Maresca.

It is stressed that, unlike last season with Mauricio Pochettino, there is not a sense of divide behind the scenes or any growing concerns about the club's direction, with those responsible for making the big decisions all convinced Maresca is the right man for the job.

Such optimism was recently shared by co-owner Jonathan Goldstein who, back in February, insisted Maresca would finish the season in charge without a shadow of a doubt.

Club officials believe the early-season form shown under Maresca is a better example of this team's ability, not least because of the impact injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have had.

Maresca argued losing two of his three top scorers has made a "huge difference" as he revealed Cole Palmer, the team's leading marksman, is set for his own spell on the sidelines.

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