Liam Rosenior has defended his approach to Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg after facing heavy criticism from pundits.
The Blues were beaten 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium by Arsenal on Tuesday night as the Gunners secured a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Liam Rosenior Head Coach of Chelsea reacts during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Chelsea
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Rosenior has hit back at criticism of his Carabao Cup semi-final gameplan against ArsenalCredit: Getty
Chelsea's apparent gameplan consisted of keeping the match tight before introducing Cole Palmer and Estevao off the bench in the second half.
The duo were brought on in the 60th minute, with Rosenior withdrawing Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap as he reshaped his side.
His move backfired, though, with neither Palmer or Estevao able to help the visitors unlock the Arsenal defence.
Instead, Kai Havertz clinched the home side's place in the final by finishing off a blistering counter-attack in stoppage time.
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Chelsea criticism
Former Gunners midfielder Paul Merson heavily criticised Chelsea's set-up and performance following the match.
Speaking during Sky Sports' coverage, he exclaimed: "I'm flabbergasted. I can't believe what I've just watched. Chelsea aren't a bottom-five team. They have World Cup winners.
"(Wesley) Fofana is crying. He should be crying because they never had a go. 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.
"If they'd have lost the game 3-0 but had shot after shot and Kepa [Arrizabalaga] was brilliant and they got broken on three times, that's the way it is.
Liam Rosenior Head Coach of Chelsea with Cole Palmer as he comes on as a substitute during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Chelsea
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The Chelsea boss' decision to keep the game tight before bringing on Palmer and Estevao backfiredCredit: Getty
"I've played in games like that where you come off and you think we just got beat and didn't really have a go."
What did Rosenior say?
Rosenior was asked about Merson's comments during his post-match press conference.
In response, the Chelsea manager admitted: "I've been a pundit. It's easy. It's easy in hindsight.
"So, 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 if you lose games, you'll be criticised. If you win, you're a genius. It's normally somewhere in between, I think."
Since succeeding Enzo Maresca last month, Rosenior has won six of his eight matches in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Liam Rosenior Head Coach of Chelsea looks dejected alongside Cole Palmer after the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Chelsea
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Rosenior's only two defeats as Chelsea manager have both been against ArsenalCredit: Getty
However, his only two defeats have both come at the hands of Arsenal in each leg of their semi-final tie.
As a result, Mikel Arteta's side will now face either Manchester City or Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, March 22.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's hopes of silverware this season now rest on the FA Cup and Champions League.
The Blues visit Hull City in the fourth round of the FA Cup later this month.
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Rosenior's side will return to European action in March following their sixth place finish in the league phase.
Chelsea will be drawn against either Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, Qarabag or Newcastle in the last 16.