Liam Rosenior has just spoken the media after this evening’s defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates in the EFL Cup semi final second leg.
He set up his team defensively then tried to spring them into action in the second half – but they simply didn’t have enough in the tank to get the job done.
Rosenior sees positives in Chelsea’s performance against Arsenal
Liam Rosenior on the touchline against Arsenal.
Liam Rosenior on the touchline against Arsenal. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
“There was a huge difference from the first leg. In terms of the players’ application, their intensity, their fight, to run for each other, to defend set plays, to attack set plays, there were a lot of very pleasing aspects to our performance,” the manager said in his usual positive fashion to BeinSport.
“But it’s still very difficult to speak about the positives, because the players and myself really believe we could have done something special. In time we can analyse where we’ve started and where we’ve got to now, and I think we can be quite happy with that. But we’re here to win thing and we have to respond on Saturday in a good way.”
That’s one competition down, but the Blues still have 3 more to play in. This is a disappointing evening, but a big 3 points at the weekend will see it soon forgotten, and he knows that.
You can see the manager speaking in the clip embedded here:
🗣️ "Tonight didn't go our way but we need to make sure on Saturday it does."
Liam Rosenior reflects on Chelsea's exit from the @Carabao_Cup ❌
🎤 @CarrieBrownTV #CarabaoCup #ARSCHE #CFC pic.twitter.com/MMnfaByo3l
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 3, 2026
[Footage from BeinSport]
In other news…
The approach Liam Rosenior took to this game – defending deep to start the game then pushing forward later, was pretty controversial, both with fans and pundits. Paul Merson said he was “flabbergasted” by it.
Chelsea’s first half was very defensive, but Joao Pedro still did a superb job leading the line and holding the ball up despite that.
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Liam Rosenior on the touchline against Arsenal.
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Jamie Carragher on Chelsea's back post runs against West Ham.