Liam Rosenior cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines at The Emirates as Arsenal secured all three points thanks to two set-piece goals, cancelling out Chelsea’s goal from a corner.
It was Rosenior’s first Premier League defeat as Chelsea manager in what was his seventh match in charge, but it was also his third defeat to Arsenal in as many matches, having lost twice in the Cup.
Chelsea are in a tricky period again having been rejuvenated to begin with under Rosenior. After the draws against Leeds and Burnley, Rosenior said Chelsea set fire to four points. It’s two from nine now.
Who deserves the blame for Liam Rosenior’s first Premier League defeat?
Rosenior? Pedro Neto? Robert Sanchez?
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Rosenior felt he had prepared his Chelsea team to deal with Arsenal’s brutality from set-pieces. Yet, Mikel Arteta and Rosenior watched on as Arsenal scored twice through William Saliba and Piero Hincapie.
‘Difficult to swallow’ for Rosenior after Chelsea training
Rosenior spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after the match, and he criticised his players for failing to heed the advice and tips they had worked on in training this week. Rosenior said set-pieces were worked on.
Chelsea Training Session and Press Conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The Chelsea gaffer watched as his Chelsea side were bullied from corners, and Robert Sanchez – a source of frustration all game for Rosenior – was weak. Rosenior said it was a “difficult pill to swallow”.
“There is certain focus and concentration issues that we have to address. We worked on set-plays all week and, as a manager, that makes it even more difficult to swallow,” Rosenior said the defeat to Arsenal.
Is this Rosenior’s fault? Or do Chelsea’s players need to step up?
While it might be hard for Chelsea fans to admit immediately after a defeat, the Blues played well today. They were unlucky not to get something from the game, and even with 10 men, looked very good.
Chelsea looked lethargic in the final third – Agree? 🤔
Gary Neville doesn't mince his words.
But that was going forward. Reece James was immense, Cole Palmer looked dangerous and worried Arsenal fans, according to Gary Neville. Even Mamadou Sarr and Jorrel Hato looked decent at the back.
Ultimately, Chelsea were beaten by a juggernaut that are hard to stop at the moment, especially from set-pieces. Rosenior is improving this Chelsea side, little by little, and next season will be a different story.
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