John Terry sends warning to Chelsea ahead of Arsenal showdown – ‘It’s not good enough’

John Terry hopes Xabi Alonso uses his time on the training pitch wisely this week after another patchy defensive display against Brighton.

The Blues continued their 100% start to the new season with a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Seagulls.

Chelsea’s star studded attack again offered a tantalising glimpse of the threat they will offer over the course of the next nine months.

Cole Palmer looks somewhere near back to his best and has struck up an instant rapport with Morgan Rogers, while Joao Pedro finally appears to have ended the club’s search for a dependable No.9.

At the other end, however, the defensive frailty that has plagued Chelsea over the past couple of seasons was again in evidence, despite the presence of new goalkeeper Emi Martinez who was making his debut following a move from Aston Villa.

With five goals conceded in two matches, Terry acknowledges that level of defensive generosity is unsustainable and improvements are required ahead of Sunday’s meeting with title rivals Arsenal.

The former Chelsea captain told his YouTube channel: ‘As good as the attacking play was I think we have to look at the defence and I’m sure the manager will in the next few days.

‘Five goals conceded in two games not good enough really, I think we need to tighten that up for sure and I think that will happen for sure with Martinez coming in.

‘Again, when the manager has got time and space to work within these weeks I’m sure this is something he’s going to look to improve.

‘Also, as a back three or four, whatever it may be, a back five at times, he hasn’t really had much time with players away at the World Cup.

‘I’m sure the manager is really going to look to get into those defensive sessions and how we can improve.

‘We have a big game coming up away to the champions Arsenal, that’s going to be a big game and a huge test.

‘The manager has got time and space within those five days to work on us defensively because they’ve shown last year and early this year they’ve got goals in their team and they’re a very good side.

‘They’re big favourites for the Premier League for me Arsenal so it’s going to be a tough game.’

Robert Sanchez, whose blunders in Monday’s win over Fulham prompted the club to go after Martinez, was not in squad, with his future at the club now in serious doubt.

The goalkeeper position had been seen as the team’s final weak link following a revamp of the squad during the transfer window, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher saying on Monday it was ‘impossible’ for Chelsea to win the title with Sanchez in the team.

‘With Emi, a World Cup winner, 34 years old, experience all around,’ said Alonso. ‘A keeper wants to have a clean sheet, but I’m happy with his first impact. He’s just been in the building for 48 hours.

‘Day by day we will feel his presence because he has this charisma, this aura, to influence and have a very positive connection with the rest of team.’