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Willian: How Arsenal defeat was crucial to Chelsea’s Premier League title challenge
WILLIAN believes Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal back in September sparked the club’s title challenge this season.
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League Match Preview
Chelsea collected 10 points from their opening six games before they were completely outplayed in the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates.
After the loss Antonio Conte switched formations to a 3-4-3 system.
Willian believes Chelsea's defeat at Arsenal was crucial to the Blues' title challenge this term
We changed the system and that helped our football a lot
The Blues have since won their last nine matches and currently sit three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
And Willian believes the defeat to Arsenal helped ignite Chelsea’s title challenge this term.
"That moment against Arsenal was difficult because we lost and we started to think 'what do we have to do, what's going on’,” Willian told Sky Sports.
Chelsea have been on a nine-match winning streak sicne defeat to Arsenal
"We changed the system and that helped our football a lot. Our players feel fresher and fitter to play.
“Conte has brought a lot of physical stuff to the team. He likes to work hard on the pitch and every day he wants to improve.
"He is doing a great job for Chelsea. It's his first year and now we are top of the league. We have to keep going.”
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