Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has defended Alvaro Morata after the striker’s underwhelming performance against Arsenal in Dublin .

Morata led the line for Chelsea as they took on the Gunners at the Aviva Stadium in their penultimate pre-season friendly on Wednesday evening but endured another worrying night in front of goal.

The Spain international missed a host of chances with his woes compounded when Petr Cech made a rare save from the penalty spot in normal time, before Arsenal sealed victory after a penalty shootout.

Chelsea’s record signing celebrated the birth of twins last Saturday, returning to the club’s pre-season camp just two days later.

Sarri admitted post-match his striker may still be feeling the effects of a draining week, but insisted he has no concerns over his player.

“I don’t know if he is not confident,” Sarri said post-match. “Maybe he was tired.

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“The last three days for him were very intense, so maybe this match he was a bit tired. I am not worried about Morata.”

Morata enjoyed a bright start to life in England last term, scoring 10 Premier League goals during the first half of the season but notched just once in 2018.

Chelsea have sought to bring in another centre forward this summer with Sarri pushing for the club to bring in Gonzalo Higuain, made available this summer following Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Juventus.

The Argentina international is now poised to join AC Milan, however, confirming on Wednesday evening he will undergo a medical with the Rossoneri.