Chelsea comeback offers hope as Liam Rosenior shown scale of task ahead | OneFootball

New Blues head coach will have learned plenty of lessons from first serious test against Arsenal

Alejandro Garnacho wheeled away and darted back to the Chelsea half with his arms outstretched in celebration.

Garnacho’s downward volley was his second act of halving Chelsea’s deficit to Arsenal on the night, and it paved the way for a big finish.

Even though Chelsea never did manage to muster an equaliser, their visitors had placed them under such intense pressure for long periods that a 3-2 defeat in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final was no disgrace.

They are left with plenty to do at the Emirates Stadium on February 3, but, crucially, they are still in the tie. This was a fine game for the neutral that offered hope for Chelsea fans in some areas more than others.

Certainly, new head coach Rosenior deserved some level of praise for his inspired substitution, bringing off ineffectual striker Marc Guiu in favour of Garnacho, who went on to score twice.

Credit to the ex-Manchester United winger for his two goals, and to Pedro Neto and the irrepressible Estevao for joining Garnacho in taking the fight to the best team in the country in Chelsea’s two strongest periods of the match - both of which followed their goals.

Momentum is everything in this sport. Casting his eye over parts of the first leg will have been a sobering experience for Rosenior in his first serious test as Chelsea boss, however.

Arsenal were on the front foot throughout, and while Chelsea displayed no lack of effort, the visitors were simply sharper, more relentless, quicker to the loose ball.

It was an evening that showed Rosenior just how much ground he and Chelsea have to make up

It was an evening that showed Rosenior just how much ground he and Chelsea have to make up. They were not helped by two blunders by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez which directly contributed to the first two Arsenal goals.

Rosenior said he had told Sanchez before the match that the team rather than the Spaniard would be culpable for any individual errors he went on to make - a well-meaning sentiment but hardly a show of faith in his shot-stopper.

Sanchez’s mistakes had a significant bearing on the game, but he made a world-class late save to deny Mikel Merino, and his team-mates must share the responsibility for defeat.

Wesley Fofana was too easily sold by Martin Zubimendi’s feint for the third goal, substitute Benoit Badiashile had a night to forget all round, and Chelsea took unnecessary risks at the back which invited Arsenal onto them.

These were the same defensive hitches that prevented Chelsea from ever becoming a consistently top team under Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea have now failed to win any of their last nine games against Arsenal in all competitions and will need to end that run in three weeks’ time if they are to reach the final at Wembley in March.

Yes, that will have to happen in Arsenal’s own back yard at the Emirates, but the lineup Rosenior can name for that game should at least be stronger.

Cole Palmer, Malo Gusto and captain Reece James were all out after failing late fitness tests, having also missed the FA Cup win at Charlton.

For now, though, Chelsea must learn from the lessons Arsenal gave their defence, and also take note of the positives.

Work to do in the defensive third but fight, spirit and attacking quality further forward. Arsenal will believe they can almost peep the Wembley arch, but Chelsea must believe they have a chance.