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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenoir deemed an Arsenal support staff encroaching their half of the field in warm-up ahead of their EFL Cup semi-final second-leg game as disrespectful. The Blues faced 1-0 at the Emirates to lose the tie 4-2 on aggregate.
Chelsea's bad luck against Arsenal
Rosenoir's side failed to bank on their home advantage in the first leg last month at Stamford Bridge, losing 3-2 despite an Alejandro Garnacho brace. With the Blues failing to score in the second league, they went out with the former Blues man Kai Havertz scoring a banger in stoppage time to break the tie.
Chelsea boss slams Arsenal for inappropriate conduct
A Gunners support staff member was spotted intruding the Blues half of the pitch during warm-up, which did not enthuse Rosenoir.
"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.
"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."
He concluded:
"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. 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. It was just, in that moment, I didn't think that respect was shown to my team."
The Gunners will face Manchester City in the final next month as they seek their first EFL Cup title in more than three decades.
Chelsea boss reacts after loss vs Arsenal
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenoir appreciated his team's performance against a strong side like Arsenal in their EFL Cup semi-final second-leg loss at the Emirates this week.
The Blues kicked off with a five-man defense, meant to stifle the Gunners. The tactical move worked for the majority of the game, but Rosenoir's side did not do their part of the bargain -score- which meant elimination from the cup.
"In hindsight, we didn't go through, you can always change and improve certain things that you do," Rosenoir said. "But what I do feel at the same time is that it was a very, very solid performance against a team that is very, very good at home.
"We turned the tide in the second half and the game could have easily gone our way. Disappointed not to go through, but now we'll move on and focus on Wolves."
Chelsea will lock horns with Wolves away in the Premier League on Saturday, February 7, while league-leading Arsenal take on Sunderland at home on the same day.
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