Cesar Azpilicueta explains heated argument with Chelsea fan after Arsenal defeat

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has played down his heated argument with a fan after last week’s 4-2 defeat to Arsenal and says the supporter’s desire to see more fight was warranted.

The Blues gave an out-of-sorts and lacklustre performance last Wednesday at Stamford Bridge, shipping two particularly sloppy goals to Eddie Nketiah before Azpilicueta gave away a late penalty to put the game to bed.

After full-time, the Chelsea skipper made his way around the stadium – which had large empty pockets due to government sanctions preventing the sale of further tickets – when he suddenly made a beeline for a fan in the crowd.

The supporter intimated with his hands that Chelsea’s players had not shown enough fight but Azpilicueta took umbrage with his criticism, arguing back.

Now, the 32-year-old says the incident was blown out of proportion and he was simply encouraging the fan to get behind the team during a difficult time, while he went over to the supporter again after Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham to give him a little gift as a peace offering.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Thursday’s visit to Manchester United, Azpilicueta said: ‘It looked worse than it was, I agree with that.

‘It was at the end of the game and I was angry with my performance, I was angry with the result, the penalty, everything.

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‘I just spotted him in the crowd, but nothing to do with him. It was just an exchange of words that looked worse than it was.

‘We spoke clearly, he wanted more fight from the team – and he was right.

‘I expressed my