“It Hurts”: Xabi Alonso reflects on first Chelsea defeat as Arsenal end Blues’ unbeaten start at Emirates

Chelsea manager Chelsea Xabi Alonso has said derby defeat to Arsenal 'hurts' after his side's unbeaten start to the season was ended at the Emirates.

Alonso lost for the first time since his arrival at Chelsea in the summer as the Blues were beaten 2-1 in North London.

Chelsea led inside the opening two minutes when Morgan Rogers broke the deadlock, volleying past David Raya after a set piece fell invitingly to strike.

Arsenal levelled through Kai Havertz, before Chelsea came close to a second when Pedro Neto struck the post.

Alonso's side fell behind when Martin Odegaard blasted Arsenal back in front on 50 minutes and were unable to find a route back into the game, with Estevao's effort well saved by David Raya in the visitors' best moment.

It was a very tight, very intense game: Alonso says Chelsea must feel the pain after Arsenal end unbeaten run

Speaking to Sky Sports, Alonso said he wants his team to feel the pain of losing to the Premier League champions after a game of fine margins.

"It hurts. It hurts because a defeat has to hurt. It has been a very intense game with different moments for everything. We had chances to equalise. In the first half as well a couple of chances. Never happy if you lose.

"After we scored, there were 15-20 minutes where we had to defend too much and we were struggling a bit to get control. We then had better spells with the ball. Overall, it was a very tight, very intense game. We could do better with the second goal to conceded too early. The guys gave everything, tried everything. It has to hurt.

"It's about preparing the best possible way to compete the best possible way. You need to control the overloads on the right side. It's part of the game to have these actions. We continue. It's game three and this is going to be a long, long ride."