Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has criticized Arsenal’s behaviour during the warmup for their EFL Cup semifinal second leg clash last Tuesday.
The Englishman was caught on camera angrily telling the Gunners to remain in their own half during the warmup and avoid encroaching into the Chelsea’s half of the pitch.
It was observed that a member of Arsenal’s coaching staff had entered Chelsea’s part of the pitch, sparking the angry reaction from the former Strasbourg manager.
“It wasn’t the [Arsenal] players. I’m respectful, when you warm-up you have your half and the other team has theirs. I’ve never asked my team or coaches to encroach on the opposition’s territory”, Rosenior stated during Thursday’s pre-match press conference.
“In that moment, I didn’t think it was right where they were operating. They were affecting my lads’ and staff’s warm-up. I asked them, maybe not politely, to make sure they stay in their half.
I’m not here to have mind games, it’s just what I think is right and respectful and hopefully we respect that and other teams do too”, he added.
Arsenal went on to win the cagey affair 1-0 courtesy of a late strike by former Chelsea forward Kai Havertz to advance to a the final 4-2 on aggregate.
The Gunners will face Manchester City in the final match at Wembley on March 22 after the Cityzens eased to a 5-1 aggregate win over defending champions Newcastle United.
“There are certain etiquettes in football. I always try and be as respectful as possible. I always want to win. I’ve never asked my coaches [to do that]
I don’t have any issue with anyone at Arsenal. They have a fantastic manager. Mikel [Arteta] is someone I have so much respect for”, Rosenior continued.
“It was just, in that moment, I didn’t think that respect was shown to my team.”
Chelsea resume league action on Saturday when they face Premier League bottom club Wolves.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
