Chelsea paid for costly errors in Arsenal League Cup defeat, says new coach Liam Rosenior
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Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior during the 3-2 League Cup semi-final, first-leg loss to Arsenal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Liam Rosenior admitted that Chelsea paid the price for costly mistakes, after Arsenal took advantage of his side’s blunders to win 3-2 in their League Cup semi-final first leg on Jan 14.
His team now face a tough task to set up a final against either Manchester City or Newcastle United following their error-strewn display in their new manager’s first home match.
The Blues were guilty of sloppy marking for Ben White’s early headed opener, before goalkeeper Robert Sanchez gifted striker Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal’s second goal after half-time at Stamford Bridge.
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho got one back for Chelsea, but Martin Zubimendi then netted for Arsenal after more lacklustre defending from Rosenior’s men.
Garnacho’s second goal gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium in February.
“Disappointed to concede from a corner. Disappointed with the third goal as well because we were right back in the game and we were on top at that moment,” Rosenior said.
“We switched off from a restart from a central free kick, but I can’t fault the players. We need to make sure we perform well individually and we don’t concede as many goals.”
The Chelsea boss was without a host of key players, including Cole Palmer, Reece James and Liam Delap, due to injuries and illness.
In his second game since replacing Enzo Maresca in the hot seat, Rosenior took heart from the way Chelsea kept fighting to find a way back into the tie.
“We’ve had illness in the squad, we’ve picked up a few knocks this week, but what the squad has shown is that they are willing to run and fight for each other,” the 41-year-old added.
Rosenior, who oversaw a 5-1 FA Cup third-round win at Charlton Athletic
“Rob’s a very good goalkeeper. He made an outstanding save at 3-1 to keep us in the tie. I’m asking Rob to do things that he hasn’t done before,” he said.
“I said to him before the game and I made this really clear – when my players make mistakes, I’m accountable. That’s on me. He will improve in terms of his understanding.
“So, for me, loads of things to improve but the overall attitude of the team I liked. Hopefully, we get a few bodies back for Brentford on Saturday.”
Arsenal are now unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions as they moved a step closer to their first silverware since the 2020 FA Cup.
The Gunners had lost their previous four semi-finals across a variety of competitions, including last season’s League Cup.
Manager Mikel Arteta was impressed with Arsenal’s ability to subdue Chelsea for long periods, but he was left to rue their failure to kill off their London rivals.
“I have to praise the players for the performance against a really good opponents. It’s a really tough place to come. That’s why I really value what the team has done again,” he said.
“We had two massive chances to score the fourth one and the result would have been very different. At that moment they created a chance and scored a goal. So it is a very different feeling. It’s game on.”
As well as leading the English Premier League, Arsenal are also still chasing Champions League and FA Cup glory.
But after so many last-four failures in the recent past, Arteta will not take anything for granted.
“It’s another step. It’s just half-time. We know the big fight we are going to have at the Emirates in a few weeks because they are a top side,” he added.
“What we’re doing every three days is impressive.” AFP
