- he believes the team has shown quality in many matches, he emphasised that strong displays must start translating into points
- According to the manager, some of the goals conceded in recent weeks are simply unacceptable at Premier League level
- He said the team had experimented with a revised defensive scheme in training, yet it failed to prevent further damage
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior faced the media after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, admitting set-piece frailties and poor discipline once again proved costly.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Chelsea were reduced to 10 men in the second half following Pedro Neto’s dismissal, and Rosenior acknowledged that repeated defensive lapses from corners ultimately decided the contest.
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Although the visitors managed to score from a set piece themselves, he conceded they failed to cope with Arsenal’s aerial threat.
Reflecting on the performance, Rosenior said it was obvious where his team’s strengths lie, but stressed that improvements are urgently needed. He described conceding twice from set plays as “really disappointing” and admitted the red card compounded their problems.
While he believes the team has shown quality in many matches, he emphasised that strong displays must start translating into points.
On Neto’s sending-off, Rosenior expressed frustration, noting the winger had been causing Arsenal significant problems before his quick double booking. He admitted the squad, himself included , must take responsibility for lapses in judgment and discipline.
According to the manager, some of the goals conceded in recent weeks are simply unacceptable at Premier League level.
Addressing questions about defending corners, Rosenior explained that tactical adjustments had been made following earlier matches, but they did not work on this occasion.
He said the team had experimented with a revised defensive scheme in training, yet it failed to prevent further damage. He insisted that lost points are stemming more from set-piece errors and discipline issues than overall performance levels.
When asked about potential internal sanctions for misconduct, Rosenior suggested fines alone would not solve the problem. Instead, he believes the focus should be on understanding why these incidents are happening.
He admitted the club’s disciplinary record has deteriorated in recent weeks and said there may be deeper issues to resolve.
He also pointed to frustration during matches, including decisions that go against his players, but stopped short of blaming officials for the defeat.
While he acknowledged concerns about holding and grappling inside the penalty area before set pieces, he maintained that his side must respond better in such situations.
Rosenior concluded by accepting responsibility for the team’s defensive struggles from corners since his arrival, saying it is an area that must improve quickly if Chelsea are to reach their objectives this season.
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