Despite the double of Alejandro Garnachohe Chelsea lost this Wednesday against Arsenal 3-2 at home, in the debut of their new coach Liam Roseniorand must turn the result around in the rematch of the English League Cup semi-finals. It was a hot and dynamic match, in which the captain of the “Bleus”, The Argentine Enzo Fernández – he was captain – ended up very angry with Martín Zubimendi.
Liam Rosenior in the thick of it as Enzo Fernandez squares up to Martin Zubimendi! 😬 pic.twitter.com/yJn3lDHHjK
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 14, 2026
The Gunners took the first round of the tie, which will end on February 3 at the Emirates Stadium, also in London. In this match, Rosenior was experiencing his introduction to his new fans, after arriving this month from Strasbourg and making his debut last Saturday with a 5-1 victory at Charlton’s field in the FA Cup.
With its victory at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal thus takes a big step towards what would be its first final since 2020, when it won the FA Cup.
Against the Premier League leader, Chelsea paid dearly for their defensive shortcomings, as was already happening in the previous stage with Enzo Maresca. Ben White (7th minute), with a header from a corner, and the Swede Viktor Gyökeres (49′) distanced Arsenal before the Argentine Garnacho scored in the 57th minute.
Gyökeres’ goal was accompanied by a big mistake by Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, who let the ball escape from his hands.
The Spaniard Martín Zubimendi once again put the visitors with a two-goal cushion, scoring in the 71st minute, but Garnacho once again reduced his team’s disadvantage and left it at the final 3-2.
The final reaction of the Blues, Garnacho’s great game and the fact that the team fought despite coming into the game very diminished are hopeful symptoms for this recently begun “Rosenior era.”
Chelsea had the significant absences for this match of Cole Palmer, Reece James and Malo Gusto due to injury, Moisés Caicedo due to suspension and Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens due to illness.
The winner of this semi-final will play the final against Manchester City or Newcastle. On Tuesday, in the first leg of that tie, the Citizens distanced themselves 2-0 with goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki.
