• Chelsea lost 1-0 to Arsenal on Sunday.
• Supporters becoming increasingly annoyed with Enzo Maresca's chosen strategies.
• Injuries persist in creating issues for Blues.
A report has disclosed that Chelsea's backing for manager Enzo Maresca continues to be steadfast despite the disappointing loss to Arsenal on Sunday.
Once seen as outside title contenders in December, a dismal streak of performances has left Chelsea struggling for a place in the top four of the Premier League. A loss to Arsenal puts the Blues in fourth place in the table, though they have played one match more than Newcastle United, the Carabao Cup champions, who sit just two points beneath them.
Although losing away to Arsenal was an expected outcome for Maresca's struggling team, fan dissatisfaction only grew after a thoroughly disappointing display that yielded 59% possession but recorded expected goals of merely 0.36 - the lowest in any match during Maresca's tenure so far. Mikel Arteta's assertion that Chelsea is the top attacking team in the league has intensified the discord among a fanbase that disagrees.
Chelsea have only secured four wins in their last 13 Premier League matches - with those victories achieved against teams currently in 16th, 17th, 19th, and 20th place in the table - yet BBC Sport reports that the ownership continues to support Maresca.
It is emphasized that, in contrast to last season under Mauricio Pochettino, there is no feeling of division behind the scenes or any increasing worries about the club's direction, as those accountable for the major decisions all believe Maresca is the right person for the role.
This optimism was recently echoed by co-owner Jonathan Goldstein, who, in February, asserted that Maresca would undoubtedly remain in charge for the rest of the season.
Club officials think the early-season performance displayed under Maresca is a truer reflection of this team's capabilities, especially considering the effects injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have caused.
Maresca stated that the absence of two of his three leading scorers has created a "huge difference," as he disclosed that Cole Palmer, the team's primary scorer, will also be sidelined.
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