Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior delivered a surprising and measured response following his side’s defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday (January 15, 2026, WIB). Rather than pointing fingers, the coach firmly refused to publicly blame goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, despite the Spaniard being at the center of intense criticism.
Sánchez endured a difficult night against Arsenal, committing two high-profile errors that directly resulted in goals for the Gunners. Those mistakes proved decisive, giving Arsenal a comfortable advantage and leaving Chelsea with a steep challenge heading into the second leg.
The performance appeared to echo an earlier, less confident version of Sánchez, marked by hesitation and uncertainty. Chelsea’s defensive line looked nervous throughout the match, and Arsenal were ruthless in capitalizing on every lapse in concentration.
However, instead of expressing anger or frustration, Rosenior stood by his goalkeeper. The Chelsea boss stressed that Sánchez’s mistakes were not isolated incidents but rather a consequence of tactical instructions that required significant adjustment.
“I Take Full Responsibility,” Says Rosenior
Speaking after the match, Rosenior openly admitted that he had asked Sánchez to make major changes to his playing style, particularly in terms of distribution and decision-making under pressure. He acknowledged that such changes inevitably come with risks and require time to master.
Because of that, Rosenior insisted the responsibility for the errors lies with him, not the player.
“I’ve asked him to do different things, and that takes time to fully understand,” Rosenior explained.
“When my players make mistakes, I am the one who takes responsibility,” he added firmly.
The Chelsea manager emphasized that he does not want any player to feel isolated or exposed after making errors, especially in high-stakes matches such as a domestic cup semi-final.
A Crucial Save That Kept Chelsea Alive
While much of the focus has been on Sánchez’s mistakes, Rosenior was quick to remind critics of a key moment that could prove vital for Chelsea’s hopes of reaching the final.
With the score at 3-1, Sánchez produced a superb save that denied Arsenal a fourth goal. According to Rosenior, that intervention kept Chelsea alive in the tie. Had Arsenal scored again, the contest might have been effectively over before the second leg.
“Rob is a very good goalkeeper,” Rosenior said.
“He made an outstanding save at 3-1 to keep us in the tie.”
The manager went on to praise a second-half stop that he described as “world-class,” underlining how close Chelsea came to suffering an even heavier defeat.
“That save could have knocked us out completely,” Rosenior added.
Loss of Focus at Critical Moments
Despite his support for Sánchez, Rosenior did not shy away from criticizing the manner in which Chelsea conceded their goals. He expressed disappointment at what he described as a collective loss of concentration, particularly during set-piece situations.
The third Arsenal goal was especially frustrating for the Chelsea bench, as it came at a moment when Chelsea were beginning to regain control of the game. Instead of building momentum, they were punished for switching off defensively.
“I’m disappointed we conceded from a corner, especially the third goal,” Rosenior admitted.
“We had come back into the game and were on top, but we lost focus.”
The Chelsea coach concluded by stressing that lapses in concentration at this level are costly, especially against an opponent as clinical as Arsenal.
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
Chelsea now face an uphill battle in the return leg, but Rosenior remains determined to protect his players and maintain belief within the squad. His public backing of Sánchez sends a clear message: accountability starts from the top, and mistakes will be treated as part of a broader learning process rather than individual failure.
With everything still to play for, Chelsea will hope to respond with greater composure, sharper focus, and improved execution when they meet Arsenal again.
ALSO READ :
- SBOTOP: Rangers Secure Tochi Chukwuani from Sturm Graz as Danny Röhl’s First Signing
- SBOTOP: Liverpool Defender Conor Bradley Out for the Season After Suffering Serious Knee Injury Against Arsenal
- SBOTOP: Arsenal Enlist Former Liverpool and Brentford Throw-In Specialist Thomas Gronnemark to Boost Long Throw Strategy
