Mikel Arteta insists Mauricio Pochettino is 'doing a good job' despite 5-0 thrashing

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed his sympathy for Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino after Tuesday's 5-0 hammering at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners demolished the Blues to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table, while they are also now 30 ahead of their rivals from Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino has faced plenty of scrutiny for an inconsistent first season in charge of Chelsea and there will be further questions over his future after suffering such a seismic defeat.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Arteta claimed he felt sorry for Pochettino, who he described as 'like a father' heading into the game.

«All the sympathy in the world [for Pochettino]. With everything that he's been through and everything that he's been doing. He knows that,» Arteta said.

«I've been on the other side as well. He's doing a great job, I think when you look at this team and analyse every second of them, they deserve to win many matches, they deserve to win against big teams.

»He's doing a really good job so hopefully things will turn around and be as he deserves.

«I love winning. He would try to do the same. When you talk about sympathy and someone I love and admire, for sure, I want the best for him.»

Chelsea would have moved level on points with sixth-placed Newcastle United if they had won on Tuesday, but instead they remain in ninth with six games left to play this season.

They travel to high-flying Aston Villa on Sunday before welcoming Pochettino's former side Tottenham Hotspur to Stamford Bridge next Thursday. The Blues will end the season with games against West Ham United, Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth.

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