Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso appeared to send tactical instructions on to the pitch during the closing stages of the 2-1 derby defeat by Arsenal, with footage suggesting the note called for a formation featuring three forwards.
Chelsea were beaten by Arsenal in a result that disappointed their supporters. As the match entered its final phase, the Blues attempted to find a way back into the game, prompting Alonso to communicate with his players from the touchline.
The content of the message was not officially confirmed, but journalists from The Sun examined footage broadcast by Sky Sports and identified what appeared to be a sketch of the team’s shape. The drawing seemingly showed three attacking players positioned at the top of the formation.
That has led to the suggestion that Alonso wanted Chelsea to alter their structure and adopt a more attacking positional set-up. The note may have been intended to explain how the players should reorganise on the field as Chelsea searched for an equaliser.
Reece James and Cole Palmer were seen looking at the message in the 88th minute. However, the instructions did not produce the desired outcome, and Chelsea were unable to recover from the 2-1 deficit before the final whistle.
The late tactical intervention therefore became one of the most notable moments of Chelsea’s attempt to rescue the derby. Although the exact wording of the note remains unclear, the images appear to show Alonso using a simple visual representation of the formation to communicate his plans.
Chelsea have taken six points from their opening three Premier League matches and currently sit fourth in the table. Despite the defeat by Arsenal, the club remain in the upper part of the standings after the first three rounds.
Alonso’s side will have an opportunity to respond on Wednesday, when Chelsea host Leeds in the third round of the English League Cup. The fixture will be the team’s next match after the derby and will give the manager another chance to assess how his players respond following the loss.
For now, the message passed on to the pitch has drawn attention because of the apparent tactical change it outlined. The available footage indicates that Alonso was seeking a more aggressive attacking arrangement in the closing minutes, but Chelsea’s push for a second goal ultimately fell short.