Liam Rosenior defended Robert Sánchez after two glaring errors from the goalkeeper helped condemn Chelsea to a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.
Sánchez has improved this season but he was badly at fault for goals from Ben White and Viktor Gyökeres. The Spaniard’s flap from an early corner allowed White to head Arsenal in front and Gyökeres was able to make it 2-0 after capitalising on another mistake from Chelsea’s No 1.
However Rosenior, who looked past losing his first home game in charge by taking heart from an injury-hit Chelsea’s battling display, was keen to stand by Sánchez.
“I think the first goal was disappointing,” the head coach said. “It’s a team goal. It’s not just on Rob. I’m asking Rob to do things that he hasn’t done before. When my players make mistakes, I’m accountable. That’s on me.
“He made a save in the second half that was absolutely world-class. That could have put us out of the tie. He will improve in terms of his understanding. I’ll stay positive with him, as I will with all the group. My job is to help them, not to blame them.”
Chelsea looked down and out after Martín Zubimendi made it 3-1 in the 71st minute. However Alejandro Garnacho gave them hope of a comeback by scoring twice after coming on in the second half. Arsenal have work to do when they host the second leg next month.
“It’s game on,” Mikel Arteta said. “That feeling is not perfect but we have to value what the team has done again. It’s just half-time, and we know the big fight that we’re going to have back at the Emirates because they are a top side.”
Chelsea were without Cole Palmer, Reece James and Malo Gusto through injury, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens through illness and Moisés Caicedo through suspension. Rosenior hopes that Palmer will recover from a thigh strain in time to face Brentford on Saturday.
“Hopefully, he’ll be available to train on Friday and hopefully he’ll be ready on Saturday,” he said. “If you play a player too early in January with a minor strain, it can turn to six weeks. I can’t afford to lose Cole Palmer for six weeks because he’s that good.”
Rosenior added that Delap and Gittens were suffering from “dangerously high” temperatures but he is confident that the bug has not hit the rest of the squad.
