There were plenty of positives for Liam Rosenior to chew and digest on Wednesday night as a patched-up Chelsea came within an inch of getting a result against Arsenal.
The feel-good factor feels like it is returning to Stamford Bridge under Liam Rosenior, when it had gone missing over the last couple of months under Enzo Maresca. His work in the media has certainly helped.
On the pitch, Chelsea are playing with flair and renewed confidence. Against Charlton, the Blues won 5-1 despite Rosenior making eight changes and starting fringe players like Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato.
Last night, Rosenior rotated again, making a further eight changes. But he was still without Reece James, Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Liam Delap, and Malo Gusto. Yet, Chelsea went toe to toe with Arsenal.
Who was Chelsea’s biggest disappointment on the night? 😡
Some terrible performances on such a big night…
Chelsea v Arsenal - Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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Ultimately, two horrendous goalkeeping mistakes cost Chelsea, but they remain in the tie ahead of the second leg on February 3, thanks to Alejandro Garnacho’s excellent brace, having come on as a sub.
Rob Green says Alejandro Garnacho needs to be more consistent
The first, a well-taken goal at the far post from a Pedro Neto cross, and the second, a superb goal after a corner had been partially headed away. Garnacho showed excellent technique to get over the ball.
Alejandro Garnacho scores v Arsenal.
Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images
He kept it down and it flew past former Chelsea keeper Kepa into the net. Arguably, his best 30 minutes in a Chelsea shirt. Yet, Rob Green told BBC’s Football Daily that Garnacho “frustrates the life” out of him.
“Garnacho frustrates the life out of me. He is someone who you look at tonight and think, bottle it, do it again. I’ve watched him live many times in games like this, I just think, right, this is yours for the taking.
“Just go and do it, and he doesn’t. But then you see tonight, when he comes on, and he’s got the bit between his teeth, he goes and proves himself,” the former Chelsea goalkeeper said about Garnacho.
Should Garnacho start for Chelsea against Brentford?
Rosenior has two decisions he must make before Chelsea play host to Brentford. He has now seen all four of his wingers – Estevao impressed last night, while Pedro Neto has a goal and an assist under Rosenior.
Garnacho is the most unfairly criticised player at Chelsea 🤜🤛
Do you agree?
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Garnacho’s brace will certainly tempt Rosenior, but it is a stark contrast to his efforts at Charlton. Indeed, Rosenior watched Garnacho lose seven of his nine duels, and that is crucial to the former Strasbourg boss.
Then, there is Gittens, who was missing on Wednesday night due to illness. The summer signing from Dortmund has struggled this season and is probably fourth choice, but was among the best at Charlton.
Rosenior must first work out if he fancies Garnacho as a starting option, or if the Argentine is better from the bench with something to prove. Then, he must work out his best two options out wide.
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