Liam Rosenior says he cannot fault the intensity or the fight of his Chelsea players despite being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Arsenal.
Having lost the first leg of the semi-final tie 3-2, a single goal for Chelsea would have forced at least extra time.
However, the Blues failed to find a way through at the Emirates and eventually suffered a 1-0 loss, with their former player Kai Havertz rounding Robert Sanchez to win the game in the 97th minute.
It is the first time Chelsea have lost both legs of a semi-final in the EFL Cup since 1990-91 (versus Sheffield Wednesday).
Chelsea had 14 shots to Arsenal's five, though created just 0.7 expected goals (xG), with only two of their attempts testing David Raya.
"We dominated the areas we wanted to in the second half, but we didn't find that quality moment," Rosenior told ITV1.
"When you're pushing as we were, we put both defenders in the box and in the last few minutes of injury time, that [conceding] can always happen.
"Arsenal know they were in for a game, over both ties. I think there are clear improvements from the first leg to the second.
"Yes, it's painful to lose – you want to go through. We just need to keep making improvements – which I'm seeing."
Chelsea had more shots in the second leg (10 at Stamford Bridge) than in the first, but ultimately only created 1.4 xG across the two matches.
Both of Rosenior's defeats since joining Chelsea have come against Arsenal in the EFL Cup, but he refused to dwell on any regrets he had from the first leg.
"In the first leg, I'm not making excuses, but we had an illness go through the camp on the day of the game – we had four players missing – and I'd been in charge for three days," he added.
"I cannot fault the application, intensity or the fight of the players.
"What we need to do is remember this is the start, and I'm really, really happy with a lot of things I'm seeing.
"You want to get the results – but we need to make sure we rest and recover, and we keep improving as we go."
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
1
Mumu said they dominated the areas they wanted to, forgetting that it's only goals that mattered
kaoarsuz
0
for me delap need loan am not seeing delap as striker rather am seeing him as a boxer he doesn't no how to position in a match can't even find the net
rezlmptuyz
0
and what a hell was he thinking about when he's playing Delap as winger ?
Yudbceiyz
0
laim delap is completely useless. he's too slow, can't dribble, can't hold up the play, but is a starter. useless
Danyeze
1
"with only two of their attempts testing David Raya"....... David Raya didn't even play at all but this failed journalist is crediting him for goalkeeping mastery. How can you report a match you didn't watch? Tueh!
Richardoghale
2
I like arsenal fans. Always they are patient. Since 2020, Arteta lifted FA against chelsea, and they are patiently waiting. And chelsea, since 2020, they had played more final than Arsenal and won more than 5 trophies, but still they can't support their good coach like Rosenior. chelsea fans are Ungrateful.
Very very ungrateful set of fans my brother
Dipamopuyz
0
Rosenior is not ready to prove himself by using those useless players that suppose to be in the bench for start. what happens to our players? nothing happened to them he put them on the bench is Arsenal is small team that he will be rest player for this is a big game that he suppose to play with everything you have but he keep them on bench he did it first leg and still repeating it again this is not a coach we truly need I'm not happy with the coach because even maresca we played well that that
Dipamopuyz
1
to me if this coach is playing Arsenal with that useless line up he won't get it at all not even only Arsenal imagine what happen against West Ham. so we need an experience coach that understands what football is
Lakabcirs
1
What a ball performance from Chelsea
Jaaadlmorz
4
I like arsenal fans. Always they are patient. Since 2020, Arteta lifted FA against chelsea, and they are patiently waiting. And chelsea, since 2020, they had played more final than Arsenal and won more than 5 trophies, but still they can't support their good coach like Rosenior. chelsea fans are Ungrateful.
Jaaadlmorz
3
I think Rosenior has good tactics, then Maresca. It's not easy to pick the first eleven within 6 matches in different competitions. comparing him with Arteta, who has been in the seat for more than 7 years, it is unfair. the game for yesterday, chelsea needed a good striker. if they give him time, he will deliver next season.
Ceeikoryz
0
The Refree is in favor of Arsenal
go and coach yourself lady
usdete
0
My first time to see the coach without his first eleven... He is inlove with those young boys
ice411
0
Chelsea coach's approach to the game was wrong..Arsenal won the first leg but he went there with 8 defensive players while it was clear that Arsenal will play it low.. stupidy coach... he should have started the game with attacking, atleast if not but the changes was supposed to be made at exactly half time..... Arsenal is not a bottom league team that you think you can turn things in 10 minutes. never... l blame the stupid coach
I don't know why you guys killing yourself over winning Arsenal. We might not have won Arsenal for years now, but we have achieved things more than them for those years. I'm proud of my club 💙
zaabnrstyz
0
we are not saying we can not lost the game but the players must know each other on the pitch that we try but just we get beaten not because you afraid to start with attacking players then you come to explain the things that is not true
nauikmosy
0
Blue fans should give this coach the time to rebuild
Hahaha a specialist in failure. 🤣🤣
zaabnrstyz
1
if you see the coach who doesn't have first eleven without injury it means is guessing coach all the players they are doing well but we must we have first eleven is very important the team
Echee27
0
Chelsea coach's approach to the game was wrong..Arsenal won the first leg but he went there with 8 defensive players while it was clear that Arsenal will play it low.. stupidy coach... he should have started the game with attacking, atleast if not but the changes was supposed to be made at exactly half time..... Arsenal is not a bottom league team that you think you can turn things in 10 minutes. never... l blame the stupid coach
your so stupid for calling him stupid,.. how many coaches have coached Chelsea for over three years, no one was able to win against Arsenal,.. this football, it can only be positive or negative, many clubs have existed the league cup since, Chelsea lost this season, next season the will go again
zaabnrstyz
3
sometimes as a manager you want to scrolling with explanations that you can understand and you don't understand because of you lost the game no you drop the players on the beanch and your first eleven it was to much defend how can your team get the goal if you afraid to attack
Mbanoz
2
Chelsea coach's approach to the game was wrong..Arsenal won the first leg but he went there with 8 defensive players while it was clear that Arsenal will play it low.. stupidy coach... he should have started the game with attacking, atleast if not but the changes was supposed to be made at exactly half time..... Arsenal is not a bottom league team that you think you can turn things in 10 minutes. never... l blame the stupid coach
THOMASCHILESHE
3
I think he is a great coach, with attacking minded
mayadekl
0
Blue fans should give this coach the time to rebuild
How does a coach start a game without a single winger?
wilbard10
1
Blue fans should give this coach the time to rebuild
The line up was bad
sepabdeiou
6
Blue fans should give this coach the time to rebuild
Cpghimiray1983
9
The Refree is in favor of Arsenal