Sports
I am not calling them ‘Set-Piece FC’
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior says Arsenal are “good at everything” and dismissed those that have labelled Mikel Arteta’s side “Set-Piece FC”.
The Gunners have scored the most goals from set-pieces across Europe’s top-five leagues this season and added another three more in yesterday’s 4-1 FA Cup third-round win at Portsmouth.
Admirers believe credit should be given to Arteta and his coaching staff for their attention to detail and Rosenior, whose first game in charge of Chelsea ended in a 5-1 victory at Charlton on Saturday night, is firmly in that camp.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final, first leg clash between the London clubs, he said: “Arsenal are good at everything. They’re a good team. It’s not about taking the game back in time. You have to manage your 1% to be as good a team and win as many different ways as possible. I respect them. I think they’ll respect us because we’re a good team as well.
“I don’t know who’s calling them Set-Piece FC. I’m definitely not. They’re a team who are very good without the ball. They have a really, really clear idea in the way they want to play with the ball. And on top of that, they’re very well organised with good delivery on set plays. That’s what you want to be if you want to be successful.”
Arsenal now reaping rewards of sticking by Arteta – Rosenior
Arteta has been at Arsenal for over six years but has won just one major trophy, the 2020 FA Cup.
Rosenior believes the North London club are now benefitting from their patience with the former Spain midfielder.
He added: ”Mikel has done an incredible job. He has had time to build. They are very good with organisation in all aspects of the game. He has done really well there.
“Everyone starts somewhere. Everyone has a different way to get somewhere. You respect everyone in the industry. It’s a difficult industry to be in, especially as a coach.
“I’d love to be here six years or longer. But to do that, you need to start winning. So my focus is that I have ideas of how the team should look like in one or two years.
“But I already have resources here to win. The lads trained very, very well today. We will make a decision on the team in the coming days and go and attack the game.”
Chelsea to leave it late on rested trio
Rosenior left Malo Gusto, Reece James and Cole Palmer out of his squad for the game at the weekend and will decide whether to bring them back into the fold for the game at Stamford Bridge.
“Moises [Caicedo] is suspended. We have had no injuries coming out of the Charlton game,” he said.
“I will make a decision on Cole, Malo and Reece tomorrow or on the morning of Wednesday.
“Those players are being managed. It was a good time for them to rest – an FA Cup game. There is no reason to take risk on players’ health with this group.”
