Chelsea: Liam Rosenior reveals Mikel Arteta's Arsenal achievement he hopes to emulate | OneFootball

Blues boss targeting big win at the Emirates in spite of admiration for his opposite number

Liam Rosenior has heaped praise on “outstanding” Mikel Arteta and hopes to be at Chelsea for as long as the Spaniard has been head coach of Arsenal.

Arteta, who has been at the helm at Arsenal for more than six years, is the Premier League’s second-longest serving manager, second only to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

In the same time period, Chelsea have had nine managers either on a caretaker or permanent basis. While the Blues have won more silverware than Arsenal in that period (five versus three, including the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup), they have not been as consistent in the Premier League and have not been regular challengers for the title.

Ahead of the two clubs meeting at the Emirates on Sunday, Rosenior was asked whether it is realistic for him or any Chelsea head coach to expect a tenure as long.

“The reality of the level we are at now is that it comes down the finest margins,” he said. “Winning titles, winning Champions Leagues, it comes down to really, really small margins.

“I have huge respect for Mikel. He is an outstanding guy and an outstanding coach and manager. To speak about my situation, I need to show improvements in this team in the short, medium and long term.

Liam Rosenior is winless in two meetings with Arsenal since taking over Chelsea, and he will hope to make it third time lucky on Sunday

AFP via Getty Images

“If you show improvements in your team, the rest takes care of itself and you end up winning the prizes that you want to win.”

Jamie Carragher suggested this week that victory over the Gunners in their own backyard on Sunday would be a statement win in Rosenior’s bid to build a long-term project at Chelsea.

“It would,” Rosenior agreed. “You want to win every game. I don’t think about it in that way, I just want to win every game.

“I don’t think about statements we can make or possibly not make. It’s about winning every game that you play. People can write what they want and say anything they want about me or how I live or how I look. It doesn’t matter.

“My focus is on my team winning games of football. I’m not here to make statements, I’m here to help my team win as many games as possible.”