Arsenal ruined Chelsea supervisor Liam Rosenior’s first residence recreation as they moved nearer to Wembley with a 3-2 win within the League Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
Rosenior’s facet had crushed second-tier Charlton 5-1 in his debut within the FA Cup third spherical final weekend.
However Arsenal ensured his first recreation on the Stamford Bridge bench was considerably much less pleasurable.
Ben White put the Premier League leaders forward within the first half and Viktor Gyokeres punished a blunder by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to attain their second after the interval.
Alejandro Garnacho got here off the bench to drag one again for Chelsea earlier than Martin Zubimendi grabbed Arsenal’s third purpose.
Garnacho gave Chelsea a glimmer of hope along with his second purpose within the closing phases.
However Arsenal will go into the second leg at Emirates Stadium on February 3 as agency favourites to succeed in the Wembley closing in March.
Manchester Metropolis received 2-0 at Newcastle within the first leg of the opposite semi-final on Tuesday.
Arsenal are unbeaten of their final 10 matches in all competitions as they attempt to win their first trophy for the reason that 2020 FA Cup.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had claimed his gamers have been motivated by their 4-0 mixture defeat towards Newcastle within the League Cup semi-finals final season.
In addition they misplaced within the semi-finals of the 2025 Champions League, the 2022 League Cup and the 2021 Europa League.
Prime of the Premier League and Champions League, and thru to the FA Cup fourth spherical, Arsenal might by no means have a greater probability to finish their silverware drought.
Rosenior, sacked by Hull in 2024, was employed by Chelsea final week to interchange Enzo Maresca after incomes plaudits for main French membership Strasbourg to a seventh-place end final season.
The 41-year-old’s introduction to Stamford Bridge was hampered by the absence of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Reece James, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Malo Gusto as a result of a mix of accidents, sickness and suspension.
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Regardless of saying he had been centered on taking part in Arsenal for the reason that second he took cost final week, Chelsea seemed utterly unprepared as they have been caught chilly within the seventh minute.
Arsenal’s set-piece prowess has change into their most important attacking high quality over the past two seasons and Rosenior turned their newest sufferer within the seventh minute.
Declan Rice curled a nook into the six-yard field and when Sanchez mistimed his try to catch the ball, the unmarked White had time and house to information a downwards header into the web.
White’s first purpose since 2024, when he netted towards Chelsea, was Arsenal’s twenty fourth from set-pieces — together with 18 at corners — in all competitions this season, essentially the most by any membership in Europe’s prime 5 leagues.
Chelsea tried to reply however Kepa Arrizabalaga saved from Enzo Fernandez and Estevao Willian.
Arsenal doubled their lead within the forty ninth minute because of Sanchez’s howler.
White’s low cross ought to have been straightforward for Sanchez, however he let it slip by way of his grasp and Gyokeres tapped into the empty internet for his first purpose in open play in 16 video games.
It was a uncommon second of vindication for the much-maligned Sweden striker, who has scored simply eight occasions in 26 appearances since arriving from Sporting Lisbon final yr.
Rosenior despatched on Garnacho for Marc Guiu and the change made a direct impression.
Garnacho struck within the 57th minute, drilling residence from shut vary after Arsenal didn’t clear.
Zubimendi restored the Gunners’ two-goal benefit within the 71st minute.
The Spain midfielder took Gyokeres’ lay-off and cleverly labored house for a scientific end from 10 yards.
Garnacho dragged Chelsea again into the tie, drilling previous Kepa from a half-cleared nook within the 83rd minute.
