Liam Rosenior held his pre-Arsenal press conference immediately after the win over West Ham as he prepares his side for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Rosenior takes his side to The Emirates in what is easily the toughest of his eight games so far, an away game against Arsenal. Chelsea need to win by at least one if they are to take the game to extra time.
That is after Arsenal managed to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month in the first leg, though a brace from substitute Alejandro Garnacho kept the tie alive. It is the only game Rosenior hasn’t won.
Joao Pedro walks into Arsenal’s team! What do you think?
Let’s see him improve his record against them on Tuesday 😤
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Going into the game, Chelsea will be without Tosin and Dario Essugo while Romeo Lavia is expected to continue his rehab. Rosenior also confirmed that Estevao would be given the time to sort a personal issue.
Liam Rosenior delivers injury update on Chelsea duo
But the absences do not stop there. Indeed, Jamie Gittens was subbed after just 25 minutes against West Ham, the first of four subs Rosenior had made by the time the second half had begun, due to an injury.
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Speaking in his pre-Arsenal press conference, Rosenior confirmed Gittens has picked up a hamstring injury while he was also asked for an update on stopper Filip Jorgensen, who got an injury against Pafos.
“Jamie, unfortunately, felt his hamstring. I don’t know the extent of the injury, but a real shame for him. I wanted to give him a start and let him show what he could do,” Rosenior said in his pre-match presser.
“So to come off after 25 minutes is really disappointing for him. Hopefully it’s not too bad,” Rosenior said. On Jorgensen, Rosenior said: “He’s close to being fit. Hopefully, it will be Arsenal or the game after.”
What changes is Rosenior expected to make for Arsenal clash
The importance of the game against Arsenal was not lost on Rosenior, who described it as a “big game”. While he does not believe in having a first-choice XI, he will certainly be making changes on Tuesday.
Who do you PREDICT will step up in Estevao Willian’s absence?🤔
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Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro all came on at half-time against West Ham for Benoit Badiashile, Jorrel Hato and Garnacho and those three changes are expected to be made from the off.
Cole Palmer’s fitness is unclear after coming through 90 minutes, though Palmer did tell Rosenior in the second half that he felt fine. Pedro Neto is also likely to come in with Estevao and Gittens missing.
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