Liam Rosenior defends Robert Sanchez
“The first goal was disappointing; that was a team goal, not on Rob. I was asking Rob to do things he hasn’t done before.
“When my players make mistakes, I’m accountable. He made a save in the second half which was absolutely world class.
“He will improve in terms of his understanding, he’s had a very good season, my job is to help them, not to blame them.”
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez endured a night to forget (Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 23:45
Arsenal defender Ben White, speaking to Sky Sports:
“We didn’t play very well in the second half and let them give us more pressure. That’s how we conceded the goals. Not up to our standards really. It’s a bit disappointing, the second half, but a win.”
On scoring: “I was free and managed to get into space.”
On his assist for Viktor Gyokeres: “I knew he was going to be waiting for the ball across. I didn’t really look, to be fair, I was just firing it across.”
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 23:30
Cole Palmer injury update provided by Liam Rosenior amid ‘dangerous’ Chelsea squad illness
Asked about Palmer’s absence, Rosenior said: “This game came too early for him, hopefully he’ll be able to train on Friday.
“He has a minor strain in his thigh. If you play someone with a minor strain in January, it can be six weeks. I can’t afford to lose Cole Palmer for six weeks.
“I want to keep the ill players [Delap and Gittens] away from the group. They both have dangerously high temperatures. Hopefully, they can rest up and be OK for Saturday.”
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 23:15
Should Arsenal be out of sight in this tie?
“We had the feeling at the end in that dominant period, we had two massive chances to score the fourth one, the result would’ve been very different.
“That feeling is not perfect.”
(Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 23:00
Mikel Arteta on Martin Zubimendi:
“What else can he do? He can do whatever he wants.
“We have to keep unlocking that in his brain, he’s so good at occupying spaces, dribbling, winning duels, and when he’s in the box he’s so composed.
“He’s phenomenal, not only the goal but the performance.”
Martin Zubimendi netted Arsenal’s third (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 22:30
MATCH REPORT: Arsenal provide brutal reality check to new Chelsea boss Rosenior
Miguel Delaney at Stamford Bridge
It was one of those games, even amid a needlessly relentless period of football, where you can see certain storylines coming together.
Above all, Arsenal’s 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge goes some way to setting up the first of a possible series of showdowns with Manchester City for trophies. They each have a foot in the Carabao Cup final.
Newcastle United and Chelsea may yet have something to say about that, but the latter will have to improve on this display. It was a tough first home match for Liam Rosenior, even if Mikel Arteta will rightly be livid that Arsenal did not just completely shut this game out. The nature of Alejandro Garnacho’s two goals will only make that worse. It was a bizarrely close end scoreline, when it often felt like it could have been a 4-1.
Kieran Jackson14 January 2026 22:18
FULL TIME! Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
Positives for Chelsea to take despite the result, as Rosenior applauds the home fans who have remained.
Chelsea will hope to have Cole Palmer and Reece James back for the second leg. They will have Moises Caicedo, who was suspended tonight.
Jamie Braidwood14 January 2026 22:00
FULL TIME! Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
Liam Rosenior is on the pitch breaking up a confrontation between Fernandez and Zubimendi. Fernandez is furious about a challenge late in the game, I think.
Jamie Braidwood14 January 2026 21:57
FULL TIME! Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal
Arsenal see out some late Chelsea pressure unscathed. They will take a one-goal lead into the second leg, but a double off the bench from Garnacho gives Chelsea some hope.
Jamie Braidwood14 January 2026 21:56
90+4 mins; Arsenal think they have a late penalty as Jesus is brought down in the box… but he was offside!
Jamie Braidwood14 January 2026 21:53