Paul Merson went in with both barrels after being left 'flabbergasted' by Chelsea's performance in their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal, losing the second leg 1-0
Paul Merson speaks
Paul Merson slammed Liam Rosenior's approach(Image: Sky Sports)
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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has defended his conservative tactics after Paul Merson accused them of 'going out with a whimper' against Arsenal. The Blues came into Tuesday's second leg a goal down after losing the first game 3-2 at Stamford Bridge last month.
Rosenior, who's only been in charge for four weeks, used a new formation and interestingly deployed striker Liam Delap on the right wing. In the second half, the Chelsea manager reverted to his usual system by bringing on Cole Palmer, Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho, as they looked to attack more.
But the Blues did little to trouble Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga throughout the night, ultimately losing 1-0 after former player Kai Havertz came back to haunt them by scoring a breakaway goal in stoppage time. Post-match, ex-Arsenal star Merson - who supports Chelsea - admitted that he was 'flabbergasted' by Rosenior's setup and issued a scathing verdict.
"I can't believe what I've just watched," Merson told Sky Sports. "Chelsea aren't a bottom-five team. They have World Cup winners. [Wesley] Fofana is crying [at the full-time whistle]. He should be crying because they never had a go.
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"They've gone out with a whimper in a semi-final. It hasn't worked. Go out in a blaze of glory, don't go out like that. They played in second gear.
"This is the semi-final of a cup. Chelsea have got the players to mix it with Arsenal. And they didn't have a go."
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Rosenior dismissed the 'easy' criticism from pundits, claiming that had Chelsea opened up, Arsenal would've been out of sight. "I've been a pundit. It's easy. It's easy in hindsight," the 41-year-old stated.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 3: Manager Liam Rosenior of Chelsea reacts during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on February 3, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
Liam Rosenior has defended his tactics(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
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"If I go and attack the game, press really high and we concede two goals early, everyone says what's he doing? That's the reality of my job. The reality of my job is that if you lose games you'll be criticised and if you win you're a genius. It's normally somewhere in between that."
Jamie Redknapp was also critical of Chelsea's performance, saying: "It was a tough watch. I could see what the plan was from Chelsea to stay in the game and then bring on the big guns. But it didn't happen. Arsenal weren't at their best but comfortable."
Arsenal will now take on either Manchester City or Newcastle (2-0) in the final. The game will be played at Wembley on Sunday, March 22.