Analysis: Rosenior fighting problems beyond his control

Story byNizaar Kinsella - Chelsea reporterThu, January 15, 2026 at 8:20 AM UTC·1 min readSuch was the importance of this fixture that Liam Rosenior had been planning for it even before Chelsea's previous match against Championship side Charlton in the FA Cup. The new head coach wanted to be ready for a major test against the Premier League leaders, who have lost only two games in all competitions this season. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHaving focused on mentality and intensity when preparing for an FA Cup tie against second-tier opposition, this was the first genuine tactical examination for the former Strasbourg head coach. However, none of his injury doubts - Cole Palmer, Reece James or Malo Gusto - were able to feature on the night. In addition, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens withdrew through illness shortly before kick-off, while Moises Caicedo was suspended. Despite those absences, Chelsea competed with Arsenal in the first half, but fell behind as Robert Sanchez failed to deal with a cross. Conceding a second set-piece goal inside Rosenior's first two matches, with Sanchez again at fault for the second, will be frustrating and may prompt questions about the goalkeeping situation. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere were, however, early signs of Rosenior's identity emerging. Enzo Fernandez's pressing forced Martin Odegaard into losing the ball in the build-up to Alejandro Garnacho's first goal, while the winger's second came from a set-piece.