LONDON - Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has dismissed suggestions Arsenal are taking the game back to the past by focusing too much on set-pieces under Mikel Arteta.
"I don't know who called them (Arsenal) 'Set Piece FC'. I'm definitely not," said Rosenior before the first leg meeting in the semi-final of the English League Cup (Carabao Cup) at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal lead the Premier League by six points, also leading the Champions League standings after six wins from six league matches.
Only, the Gunners showed a little weakness in their attempt to win the first trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020 at the end of Arteta's first season as manager.
Dead balls are an area Arteta has been working on to get a grip on. Arsenal are among the most dangerous teams in England in this aspect of the game, especially now that centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes is back fit.
"Arsenal are good in everything. They are a good team. It's not about bringing the game back to the past. You manage one percent of your ability to be the best team possible to win in different ways."
"They're a really good team without the ball. They have a really, really clear idea, of how they want to play with the ball."
"On top of that, they are very, very well organized. They have good passes in dead ball situations. That's what you want if you want to be successful," said Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca this month.
Rosenior's first game as coach was a 5-1 win over second division (Championship) Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup Third Round on Sunday, January 11, 2026 WIB.
He did not include Cole Palmer and Reece James because their physical condition was being managed. However, both of them could return to play against Arsenal.
Chelsea will host Arsenal first in the Carabao Cup semi-final, Thursday, January 15, 2026, WIB time. Meanwhile, the second leg will take place at the Emirates Stadium on February 3, 2026.
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