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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior says Arsenal are “good at everything” and dismissed those who described Mikel Arteta’s team as “Set-Piece FC”.
The Gunners have scored the most goals from set pieces in Europe’s top five leagues this season and added three more in 4-1 victory yesterday in the third round of the FA Cup at Portsmouth.
Admirers say 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 win at Charlton on Saturday night, is firmly in that camp.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg between the London clubs, he said: “Arsenal are good at everything. They are 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 in every way possible. I respect them. I think they will respect us because we are a good team too.
“I don’t know who calls them Set-Piece FC. That’s certainly not the case. They’re a team that’s very good without the ball. They have a very, very clear idea of how they want to play with the ball. And what’s more, they’re very well organized with a good set-piece performance. That’s what you have to be if you want to be successful.”
Arsenal are now reaping the rewards of remaining alongside Arteta – Rosenior
Arteta has been at Arsenal for over six years but has only won one major trophy, the 2020 FA Cup.
Rosenior believes the north London club are now benefiting 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 in terms of organization in all aspects of the game. He has done very well there.
“Everyone starts somewhere. Everyone has a different way of getting to something. You respect everyone in the industry. It’s a tough industry, especially as a coach.
“I would love to be here six years or more. But to do that you have to start winning. So my goal is to have ideas of what the team should look like in one or two years.
“But I already have the resources here to win. The guys trained very, very well today. We will make a decision on the team in the next few days and attack the match.”
Chelsea will start late on a rested trio
Rosenior left Malo Gusto, Reece James and Cole Palmer out of his squad for this weekend’s game and will decide whether to reinstate them for the match at Stamford Bridge.
“Moses [Caicedo] is suspended. We had no injuries in the Charlton game,” he said.
“I will make a decision on Cole, Malo and Reece tomorrow or Wednesday morning.
“These players are well managed. It was a good time to rest – an FA Cup game. There is no reason to take risks on player health with this group.”
