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Liam Rosenior slams Arsenal's pre-match warm-up in Carabao Cup tie
05 Feb 2026

Arsenal's pre-match warm-up ahead of the Carabao Cup 2025-26 semi-final second leg against Chelsea has drawn criticism from Liam Rosenior.

The incident, which saw Arsenal players warming up in Chelsea's half at Emirates Stadium, was caught on camera and sparked an angry reaction from Rosenior who was seen asking them to return to their own half.

Here's what the Chelsea manager had to say about the incident.

Rosenior expresses disappointment over Arsenal's actions
Clarification

Rosenior was asked on Thursday about his reaction to the incident.

"It wasn't the players," Rosenior clarified at a press conference.

"I'm respectful. When you warm up, you have your half and the other team have their half. I've never asked my team or my coaches to encroach on the opposition's territory. In that moment, I didn't think it was right where they were operating. They were affecting my lads' warm-up and my staff's warm-up," he added.

'There are certain etiquettes in football'
Discontent

"I asked them - maybe not politely - to stay in their half. I'm not here to have mind games. It's just what I think is right and respectful, and hopefully we respect that and other teams do too." Rosenior stated.

"There are certain etiquettes in football. I always try and be as respectful as possible. I always want to win."

Rosenior feels Arsenal didn't give his side the respect
Fact

"I don't have an issue with anyone at Arsenal Football Club. Their fantastic manager, Mikel [Arteta], is someone I have so much respect for. It was just, in that moment I didn't think that respect was shown to my team."

Arsenal to face Man City in the Carabao Cup final
Match

Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 in the 2nd leg of their semi-final clash. Kai Havertz scored late on for the Gunners.

Overall, Arteta's men won 4-2 on aggregate.

Thereafter, Manchester City joined Arsenal in the final. Pep Guardiola's side thrashed Newcastle United 3-1 at home in the 2nd leg. They won the first leg 2-0.

Omar Marmoush stood tall for City.