Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior has accused Arsenal of showing a lack of respect during the warm-up of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
The Chelsea head coach was seen angrily confronting members of Arsenal’s staff and players, telling them to remain in their own half of the pitch as both teams prepared for kick-off.
Arsenal went on to win the match 1-0, securing a 4-2 aggregate victory and booking their place in the final.
According to BBC Sport on Thursday, Rosenior said the issue was not with Arsenal’s players, but with maintaining what he described as basic football etiquette.
“When you warm up, you have your half and the other team have their half.
“I’ve never asked my team or coaches to encroach on the opposition’s territory. In that moment, I didn’t think it was right where they were operating; they were affecting our 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,” he said.
Rosenior stressed that the incident did not reflect any wider issue with Arsenal or their manager, Mikel Arteta.
“I don’t have an issue with anyone at Arsenal Football Club,” he added. “Mikel is someone I’ve got so much respect for. It was just in that moment that I didn’t think that respect was shown to my team.”
Despite Chelsea’s elimination, Rosenior defended his tactical approach and his side’s performance.
Chelsea began the match with three centre-backs before switching to a more attacking shape just before the hour mark, introducing Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian as they chased a goal that would have levelled the tie.
Arsenal’s winner came late on, with Kai Havertz scoring on the counter-attack in added time to seal the tie.
Rosenior, who has won six of his eight matches since replacing Enzo Maresca in January, said criticism of his decisions would not influence his approach.
“The noise doesn’t surprise me at all.
“What people say outside the club makes no difference to my decision-making. In hindsight, there are always things you can do differently, but that was an excellent performance against a team that is very good at home,” he said.
Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday when they face Wolves.
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