Two major concerns in Rosenior’s first two games could be a significant problem during his Chelsea tenure | OneFootball

Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior took charge of his first game at Stamford Bridge, losing 3-2 to Arsenal in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final match-up.

Chelsea were the architects of their own downfall as two mistakes from Robert Sanchez and a fine Martin Zubimendi goal gave the Gunners an advantage for the second leg.

While the Blues showed some bravery, Rosenior’s set-up had apparent weaknesses that Arsenal easily exploited.

First, Chelsea’s pressing structure left a lot to be desired. The intention to press high was clear, but the execution was disjointed.

Chelsea often jumped out to engage Arsenal’s centre-backs without adequate support behind the first line, leaving vast spaces for the Gunners to play through.

The press lacked cohesion and timing, with individuals stepping forward rather than the unit moving in sync, making it easy for Arsenal to bypass the initial pressure.

That structural flaw quickly snowballed into a bigger problem. Chelsea were far too easy to play through.

Arsenal sliced and diced their way through the middle of the pitch with alarming regularity, rarely needing to force the issue or go long.

Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard repeatedly found pockets of space between Chelsea’s lines.

They were receiving on the half-turn and driving at a backline that was constantly retreating.

The midfield gaps were jarring to watch, particularly when Rosenior’s side lost their shape after a failed press.

Time and again, they pulled Chelsea’s midfield out of position, chasing shadows as runners darted beyond them.

Once one player stepped out, the domino effect followed, opening corridors to the uncertain Chelsea rearguard.

It created a stretched, broken block that offered little resistance and invited pressure onto a defence already lacking protection.

This was not a one-off. Chelsea’s 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic flattered their actual performance, where the same structural issues proved a massive issue.

It could be a significant problem if the aggressive press fails to keep opponents at bay.

For all the attacking flashes the Blues showed, their off-ball structure told the real story, and until Rosenior tightens that framework, the West Londoners will struggle.