Benoit Badiashile had a poor game as Chelsea lost 5-0 to Arsenal (Photo: Getty)

Benoit Badiashile’s failure to ‘set the tone’ led to Chelsea’s humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal, Joe Cole reckons.

Arsenal sent a strong message to title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool by defeating their London rivals in style at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the opening five minutes before Ben White and Kai Havertz both bagged braces within a remarkable 18 minute spell in the second-half.

While young full-back Alfie Gilchrist and goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic were initially held responsible for Trossard’s opener, Cole believes Badiashile must share some of the blame.
The Chelsea centre-back nearly gave away a penalty within the first minute after fouling Havertz in the box but was saved by the offside flag, but his failure to deal with the in-form Arsenal attacker had a lasting effect on the match.

‘Do you know what" That first 10 minutes sums up Chelsea?s season,’ former Blues star Cole said on TNT Sports.

‘They played themselves back into the game, made chances. But I think it [the first goal] comes from Havertz.

Leandro Trossard gives Arsenal the lead inside 5 minutes! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DGQ8Vr9owa— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 23, 2024

‘Badiashile has got to go with him and set the tone. You must be thinking all w...