Chelsea Pays Price for Costly Errors in Arsenal Defeat, Says Rosenior

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior admitted his team paid the price for costly mistakes as Arsenal capitalized to secure a 3-2 victory in the League Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday

Rosenior’s side now faces a tough task to reach the final against either Manchester City or Newcastle after a display marred by defensive lapses in the new manager’s first home game

Chelsea were guilty of sloppy marking that allowed Ben White to score early with a header. After half-time, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s error gifted Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal’s second goal

Alejandro Garnacho pulled one back for Chelsea, only for Martin Zubimendi to restore Arsenal’s two-goal lead following further defensive mistakes

Garnacho’s second goal late in the game offered Chelsea a glimmer of hope ahead of the second leg at the Emirates Stadium in February

“Disappointed to concede from a corner and with the third goal because we were right back in the game,” Rosenior said. “We need to perform better individually and avoid conceding easy goals”

Chelsea were missing key players, including Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Liam Delap, due to injuries and illness

Despite the defeat, Rosenior, in his second game since replacing Enzo Maresca, praised the team’s fighting spirit

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“The squad has shown they are willing to run and fight for each other,” he said. He also defended Sanchez, noting the goalkeeper made a crucial save to keep Chelsea in contention

Arsenal, now unbeaten in 10 games across all competitions, moved a step closer to their first silverware since winning the 2020 FA Cup

Manager Mikel Arteta lauded his team’s performance but admitted Arsenal missed opportunities to put the game beyond Chelsea

“It’s another step. It’s just half-time. We know the big fight we are going to have at the Emirates in a few weeks because they are a top side,” Arteta said