Chelsea might have overcome a first-leg Carabao Cup semi-final defeat twice in the last 10 years, but it wasn’t to be for Liam Rosenior’s side against Arsenal on Tuesday night.
Indeed, it’s only happened twice in the last decade that a side has reached the final of the Carabao Cup after losing the semi-final first leg. But on both occasions, it was Chelsea in 2018-19 and 2023-24.
Chelsea had lost the first leg 3-2 at Stamford Bridge, and it left Rosenior needing a shock result, an away win at Arsenal, to take Chelsea to Wembley. Rosenior set his side up to frustrate Arsenal in the first 45.
Is Liam Delap not good enough for Chelsea or are we not playing to his strengths?🤔
They did just that. Rosenior’s game plan was to contain Arsenal and then bring on attacking talent like Cole Palmer and Estevao. But Chelsea couldn’t get a winner, and Arsenal scored late on to win 1-0.
Mikel Arteta impressed by something about Chelsea last night
There is no doubt about it, though. Chelsea gave Arsenal a run for their money, and while they lacked any clear-cut chances, the tension at The Emirates was obvious as the game entered the final 20 minutes.
But with Arsenal booking their place at Wembley, Mikel Arteta spoke highly of Chelsea and Rosenior after the game. He said Chelsea’s competitiveness impressed him last night, and praised Chelsea’s new gaffer.
“The margins were going to be small because they are a really good side. They compete so well as well, they are really well coached, and, at the end, we got it over the line,” Arteta told his press conference.
Paul Merson was less impressed with Rosenior’s tactics
Rosenior certainly sprung a surprise with his starting XI. It saw him name a back five, with Jorrel Hato retaining his spot in the side despite his disappointing West Ham performance, on the left of three.
Enzo Fernandez on the left…?
What do you make of Liam Rosenior’s starting side?
Chelsea’s intention was to prevent Arsenal from scoring in the first half, play on potential tension in the stadium, bring the likes of Palmer on, and push for a late goal. It worked, without actually scoring.
But Paul Merson wasn’t impressed. Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said: “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 was in tears after full-time but Rosenior will now have to dust his squad down and go again on the weekend, with Chelsea now facing a potential banana skin in Wolves away on Saturday.
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