Didier Drogba: Chelsea Have To Stick Together And Focus On Games

Ivorian taking one game at a time following Arsenal triumph...

By Owen Watson

EPL: Didier Drogba, Chelsea v Arsenal (Getty Images)
Chelsea defeated Arsenal 2-0 at Stamford Bridge this afternoon courtesy of two Didier Drogba goals, and the Blues forward admitted he thought he had a hat-trick following a sublime free-kick.

“I thought so,” he told Sky Sports. “That's why you always have to wait until the ball crosses the line to celebrate, it's unlucky, but I think we suffered so much in the second half, Arsenal played well and we're happy with those two goals.”

Following the furore surrounding John Terry, Drogba said it had been a tough week for everyone at the club.

He added: “It's a difficult week for us, for Chelsea, for all the club and we try to stay together and we try to focus on the games and I think it's a matter of time but we'll stick together and keep looking forward.”

The Ivorian explained that all the players had offered their captain their full support.

He said: “Of couse, of course, we offered him as much support as we can and I think the best thing for him is to play and all his teammates have to give everything for him in the games and that's it."

Drogba said he was happy with his two goals, but couldn't explain why his goal scoring record against the Gunners is so outstanding. The forward has now scored 12 times in as many games against Arsenal.

“No, no, seriously – I'm happy, I won't say the opposite, I'm really happy but I don't know,” he said. “I wanted to score goals today against Arsenal and maybe it could have been against another team. The most important thing for us is that we're still top of the league.”

Explaining his celebration, Drogba said it is important to recognise the contribution of the coaching staff.

He concluded: “We work a lot after training, we work a lot. They give us good crosses, sometimes bad crosses! So sometimes it's good to go congratulate your managers and all the work they're doing for you to improve so thanks to them.”
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Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.

We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!

Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.

From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!

2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.

Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:

"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.

"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.

"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."

Full story HERE


2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.

“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.

(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)

“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.

“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.


Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.

“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.

“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”


2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.

"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."

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