Liam Rosenior flexed his tactical muscles for the first time since his appointment as Chelsea manager four weeks ago. Until now, the Englishman had largely continued with predecessor Enzo Maresca's system, reluctant to overload his players with too much information too soon. For the first time since March 2024, under Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea lined up with three centre-backs.
Liam Rosenior flexed his tactical muscles for the first time since his appointment as Chelsea manager four weeks ago.
Until now, the Englishman had largely continued with predecessor Enzo Maresca's system, reluctant to overload his players with too much information too soon.
However, after winning six of his first seven games, including his opening four Premier League matches, Rosenior delivered a surprise for his opposite number.
For the first time since March 2024, under Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea lined up with three centre-backs. The system is likely to appeal to supporters, with Thomas Tuchel having used it during the club's 2021 Champions League triumph and Antonio Conte adopting it in the 2017 Premier League title win.
Rosenior also took an additional gamble by leaving three players high up the pitch to counter-attack when Arsenal took corners. The approach gave Arsenal the opportunity to outnumber Chelsea in the box, but committing the same number of players forward would have left them exposed to breaks.
Arsenal adapted by bringing more men back to cover, allowing goalkeeper Robert Sanchez the space to claim crosses - one of his key strengths.
It was in stark contrast to how Chelsea coped in the first leg, conceding from a corner early on and letting in three goals from set-pieces.
For 45 minutes, Arsenal's front four barely touched the ball and Rosenior's adjustments paid off. Enzo Fernandez forced a save just before half-time in a cagey opening period.
Chelsea made a double attacking substitution on 59 minutes, with Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian replacing Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap, to restore Chelsea to their more familiar shape. Alejandro Garnacho later joined the fray as another attacking option, coming on for midfielder Andrey Santos.
Yet Arsenal, so assured defensively this season, largely kept the door shut. They conceded only a half-chance - Wesley Fofana's near-post flick from an 82nd‑minute corner - and a handful of long‑range efforts from the in‑form Fernandez.
As they pushed for a goal to keep the tie alive, a familiar face in Kai Havertz broke Chelsea's hearts.
It felt harsh for the Blues to lose on the night, but even in defeat, Rosenior can take encouragement from a significantly improved display compared with the first leg at Stamford Bridge, where the tie had effectively slipped away.
Category: General Sports
