Chelsea head coach, Liam Rosenior has lifted the lid on a fiery pre-match confrontation with Arsenal, admitting he “lost his cool” after what he believed was a clear lack of respect and etiquette shown to his side ahead of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Television cameras captured the usually composed Chelsea boss in an angry exchange on the pitch before kick-off, furiously remonstrating with members of the Arsenal camp for encroaching into Chelsea’s half during warm-ups, an incident that set the tone for an already tense London derby.
Arsenal would go on to win the match 1–0, courtesy of a seventh-minute stoppage-time goal from former Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, sealing a 4–2 aggregate victory and booking their place at Wembley.
“There Are Certain Etiquettes in Football” – Rosenior
Speaking after the match, Rosenior explained exactly what sparked his visible frustration.
“When you warm up you have your half and the other team have their half,” Rosenior said.
“In that moment I didn’t think it was right where they were operating. They were affecting my lads’ warm-up.”
The Chelsea boss admitted his reaction may not have been diplomatic but insisted his stance was rooted in principle rather than gamesmanship.
“So I asked them, maybe not politely, to make sure they stay in their half. I’m not here to have mind games, it’s just what I think is right and respectful.”
“There’s certain etiquette in football. I don’t have an issue with anyone at Arsenal.”
“It was just in that moment I didn’t think that respect was shown to my team.”
Rosenior later clarified that his frustration was not directed at Arsenal’s players personally.
“It wasn’t the players,” he added.
“I’ve never asked my team or coaches to encroach on the opposition’s territory. Hopefully, we respect that and other teams do too.”
Respect for Arteta, But Line Drawn
Rosenior has however, noted that his relationship with Arsenal and their manager remains intact amid the heated moment.
“I don’t have an issue with anyone at Arsenal Football Club,” he said.
“Mikel [Arteta] is someone I’ve got so much respect for. It was just in that moment, I didn’t think that respect was shown to my team.”
Havertz Heartbreak Sends Arsenal to Wembley
On the pitch, Chelsea’s night ended in agony.
Having already lost the first leg 3–2, the Blues were undone late on when Kai Havertz, once a Champions League-winning hero at Stamford Bridge, struck in stoppage time to condemn his former club.
The result sent Arsenal through 4–2 on aggregate, ending Chelsea’s Carabao Cup hopes.
One Blemish in a Flying Start for Rosenior
Excluding the cup exit, Rosenior’s first month as Chelsea boss has largely impressed.
Since replacing Enzo Maresca in January, he has:
-
Won six of his eight matches
-
Recorded three Premier League wins
-
Secured direct qualification to the Champions League last 16
The only defeats under his watch have come in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
Palmer, Fitness Concerns and Wolves Test Ahead
Rosenior also addressed the ongoing spotlight on Cole Palmer, whose form and fitness have been closely monitored this season amid reports of January unrest and links to a return to Manchester.
“We have the very best medical team, the very best sports science team. We do many tests,” Rosenior said.
“We want to make sure these players can play at the level they need to play at to help us win.”
On Palmer specifically, he added:
“In terms of Cole, there isn’t a timeframe where he’s going to be perfect in a month or two months, it’s just game to game.”
“He’s bought in, he’s been magnificent. He is maturing as a human being and he understands the bigger picture which is his career.”
Rosenior confirmed that both Palmer and Estêvão Willian are ready to play 90 minutes away at Wolves on Saturday.
Injury Blow: Jamie Gittens Set for Spell on Sidelines
Chelsea will, however, be without Jamie Gittens for the foreseeable future.
The forward picked up a hamstring injury in the 3–2 win over West Ham and missed the Arsenal clash.
“Unfortunately it’s looking a little more long-term for him,” Rosenior revealed.
“He’s got a tear in his hamstring which is a real shame for him and he will be a big miss for us.”
“I know about his career and what an outstanding player he is, so it’s a big loss. It’s too early to say how long he will be out for.”
Read More: EFL Cup: How Arsenal Ended Their Six-Year Final Drought Against Chelsea
Read More: Sterling Leaves Chelsea at Last But One Major Issue Remains
Read More: Chelsea’s Late Chase for Jennifer Echegini COLLAPSES as PSG Slam Door Shut
Rosenior Shrugs Off Critics After Arsenal Exit
Responding to criticism of his tactical approach against Arsenal, Rosenior was unapologetic.
“The noise doesn’t surprise me at all. “What other teams do has nothing to do with me”, he said.
“What people say outside the club makes no difference to my decision making.”
He concluded:
“In hindsight, we didn’t go through so there are always things you can do differently, but that was a very, very solid performance against a team very good at home.”
