Liam Rosenior holds back Chelsea star as angry row erupts after Arsenal showdown

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Evening Standard

·15 gennaio 2026

Liam Rosenior holds back Chelsea star as angry row erupts after Arsenal showdown

Enzo Fernandez and Martin Zubimendi involved in furious post-match bust-up after thrilling Carabao Cup semi-final clash

Liam Rosenior and Mikel Arteta had to intervene as an angry row erupted following Chelsea’s blockbuster Carabao Cup semi-final showdown against Arsenal.

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The Blues will head to the Emirates Stadium for the return fixture on February 3 needing to overturn a 3-2 deficit against the Premier League leaders after fighting back in Wednesday night’s pulsating first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Two high-profile mistakes from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez saw Arsenal take a commanding 2-0 lead with an early effort in each half through Ben White and Viktor Gyokeres, but Alejandro Garnacho scored twice off the bench either side of an excellent Martin Zubimendi effort to keep the tie alive.

It was a first defeat in his opening home game in charge for new Chelsea head coach Rosenior, the successor to Enzo Maresca who faces a third consecutive London derby showdown on Saturday as Brentford visit following last weekend’s thumping 5-1 debut rout of second-tier Charlton in the FA Cup third round.

Rosenior played the role of peacemaker on Wednesday evening as a furious bust-up followed the full-time whistle at Stamford Bridge.

An earlier off-the-ball incident between midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Zubimendi spilled over into a feisty post-match confrontation as they engaged in a heated argument, with Arsenal defender Gabriel and Chelsea winger Pedro Neto first intervening to try and separate the pair.

However, the row quickly continued as Fernandez put his hand on the back of Zubimendi’s neck and then said something into his ear as they clashed once more, which led to Rosenior then pulling them apart and wisely guiding a fired-up Fernandez away from a melee involving both sets of players.

Arteta did likewise for Zubimendi as tensions were eventually defused on a night of emotions and high drama in west London.

Fernandez’s future at Chelsea has become subject to fresh speculation over recent days, with French outlet L’Equipe claiming that Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain are interested in a deal for the Argentine World Cup winner that would not take place in the January transfer window.