Arsenal 'didn't cause any problems until set plays' says Liam Rosenior, as Chelsea boss bemoans 'same story' over discipline as Pedro Neto sees red

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Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior rued the "same story" following his side's 2-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal scored twice from corners either side of half-time, as Rosenior felt that The Gunners "didn't cause any problems until set-plays". Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta said he was proud of the mentality of his league-leading side.

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Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior cut a frustrated figure following his side’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday, labelling the defeat as the "same story".

Arsenal took the lead from William Saliba at a corner midway through the first half before Chelsea equalised on the stroke of half-time from their own corner.

Although Chelsea pressed for a winner, it was the Premier League leaders who retook the lead, with Jurrien Timber heading home from another corner.

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Afterwards, Rosenior explained that he thought Chelsea looked relatively comfortable before the opening goal, declaring his belief that Arsenal "didn't cause any problems until set plays."

But despite preparing to face Arsenal’s deadly set-pieces, it was a familiar feeling for The Blues, having let points slip in their last two Premier League games against Leeds and Burnley.

"It's been the same story for the last three games," Rosenior told Sky Sports. "You have performances to get results, and it is the same story... [we were] in the ascendancy for all three games.

"We are together, because what I never do, whether we win or lose games, is start pointing fingers at players. But it is clear what we need to improve. It is not our football or attacking play, we need to make sure we are ruthless in both boxes.

"To concede two goals from corners, and get another red card, that has been the story of our season. It has been the story of the last few games."

According to Opta, Arsenal’s 16 goals from corners in the Premier League this season is the joint-most by any side in a single campaign, alongside Oldham in 1992/93, West Bromwich Albion in 2016/17 and the Gunners themselves in 2023/24.

Chelsea looked arguably the more threatening attacking team at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but some good goalkeeping and wayward finishes meant they came away with nothing.

"We came here with a game plan that we felt we could execute, but we haven’t because we haven’t had a good discipline about us," Rosenior said.

"The great thing is that we are playing the big teams. If we solve the problem, and the performance level is there, then we have a great chance. But we have to solve the problem to make sure we qualify for the Champions League."

Chelsea’s attempted comeback was hampered when Pedro Neto was sent off for two quickfire yellow cards shortly after Arsenal’s second goal.

It was Chelsea’s seventh red card this Premier League season – and captain Reece James expressed his frustration at consistently having to play with a man fewer than their opponents.

"We have spoken. [Discipline] has come up a number of times," James told Sky Sports. "Every time it is someone different. We need to review it internally.

"Of course it is a problem. We are playing in the toughest league in the world. Eleven vs 11 is tough, 10 vs 11 is even harder, no matter who you're playing."

Arteta savours reaction to Wolves disappointment

For Arsenal, the victory reasserts their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

The win also helps to put their recent wobbles in the rearview mirror, in particular the two-goal collapse against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month.

Since then, Arsenal have beaten Tottenham Hotspur 4-1, and now edged past Chelsea to help quieten fears of letting their Premier League lead slip.

Manager Mikel Arteta outlined how impressed he was with his players’ mentality to get back to winning ways following their disappointment at Wolves a few weeks ago.

"The way we have reacted after the disappointing result against Wolves has been top. Not just on the pitch, but what we have learned about ourselves," Arteta told Sky Sports.

"We have the feeling that we have to win and win and win. You win so many games, but it is not enough to open the gap.

"That is the level of this league."

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