XABI ALONSO passed a note to Reece James in the crunch moments of Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal.
And Sky Sports cameras revealed exactly what was on it.
Alonso sent a folded-up piece of paper on with late substitute Danny Welbeck as Chelsea trailed 2-1 at the Emirates.
And Blues skipper James was seen analysing it with Cole Palmer in the 88th minute.
One camera angle showed that it was a drawing of a formation on a pitch with three players up front as Chelsea tried to claw themselves level.
The visitors started the match with Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro and Palmer up front – so it was more likely the midfield and defence that Alonso was looking to tweak.
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One fan joked on X: “You reckon Alonso just had ‘take Rice out’ on that note?”
And another put: “God forbid [Liam] Rosenior hands his players a note during a game. He’s out of his depth. Xabi Alonso just did it.”
Chelsea pushed and probed as the minutes ticked by but left North London licking the wounds of a bitter defeat.
They were on course to cause an upset when Rogers – who snubbed Arsenal‘s transfer interest in the summer – volleyed them ahead after just 77 seconds.
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But the Gunners kept their cool and equalised midway through the first half when Kai Havertz fired in at the near post.
Havertz then set up what turned out to be the winner from Martin Odegaard – although he will not be credited with the assist.
The pass from the left came from Christos Tzolis – but it was Havertz’s dummy that made the space for Odegaard to slam home.
Fans were treated to a back-and-forth contest that was tense at times, with Rogers and his England team-mate, Declan Rice, almost coming to blows late on.