Liam Rosenior is making great strides and he came close to getting things spot on against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg - his side just could not land KO blow
Paul Merson and Liam Rosenior
Paul Merson has some comments about Liam Rosenior's tactics - and the Chelsea boss put him in his place
View 2 Images
Liam Rosenior nearly nailed it in the game - and definitely nailed it afterwards.
Sky pundit Paul Merson, a Chelsea fan, slammed Rosenior’s approach in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi final because they did “not lay a glove on Arsenal.”
Merson said: “They played in second gear. This is the semifinal of the cup, go out in a blaze! This wasn't a League One or League Two team coming to the Emirates to keep the score down, they have got the players to mix it with Arsenal. They didn't have a go. There are ways of losing. If they lost this game 3-0, after having shot after shot and Kepa was brilliant in goal, [you say]: 'That's the way it is.’ As a player you'd be in the dressing room [thinking]: 'We didn't give it a go.’”
That prompted Rosenior to have a little nibble back by saying working as a TV pundit is “easy” and he should know because he used to work for Sky before concentrating on his coaching career.
And the point is here that Chelsea stayed in the game. Rosenior even admitted afterwards that the idea was to stay in the tie, make changes and bring on players to win the game. In fact, they only needed one goal to take it to extra time - and that is where they fell short.
It is easy to laugh at that and say that is the only thing that matters. And that is also true. But Chelsea actually had 14 shots to Arsenal’s five while both teams managed just two on target.
Let’s be honest, Chelsea did not really look like scoring. They did not create enough clear cut chances. But it would be disingenuous to say they did not apply pressure and were forcing Arsenal back.
It was Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian and Alejandro Garnacho who came on and, quite frankly, did not make the difference.
Estevao had been to Brazil and back but was desperate to play despite clearly needing to go home for a pressing family matter. That is great commitment.
Joao Pedro was a menace all game and really battled hard. But Chelsea kept it tight, it was an intense game but they just could not produce the one moment they needed.
Having said all that, Rosenior’s game plan did keep them in it. And that is why his post-match comments made sense.
“If I go and attack the game, and press high, and we concede two goals early, everyone says: 'What is he doing?’ he said. “That's the reality of my job. If you lose games you will be criticised and if you win, you are a genius. It's usually somewhere in between.”
I actually think that’s right. If Chelsea had gone for it, been open then Arsenal would have feasted on the space and opportunities. It quickly goes to 1-0, 2-0 and it’s done.
Let’s be clear here… Arsenal should have been out of sight in the first leg. Chelsea were depleted, missing key players and, at 3-1, Arsenal had two unbelievable chances. But it finished 3-2.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea applauds the fans following the team's defeat during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on February 03, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea lacked the clinical edge required to KO Arsenal(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Since then, Chelsea have improved immeasurably to a place where now they competed with Arsenal. Rosenior had only been in the job for 28 days when he took his team to Arsenal.
They were way better than the first leg, have improved and are growing. Rosenior has overseen eight games since taking charge and has won six, lost two. The two defeats? Both to Arsenal. Arsenal are currently the best team in the league. You can’t go full-out attack.
Chelsea’s approach reminded me of Arsenal going to Liverpool in 1989. They kept it tight, stayed patient and waited for the knock-out blow. That was the best title decider in history.
The tactics were spot on. George Graham played a blinder. Who played up front for Arsenal? Paul Merson.