Liam Rosenior has accused Arsenal’s coaches of violating the ‘etiquettes’ of football and showing a lack of ‘respect’ during Tuesday’s warm-up at the Emirates Stadium, which prompted his furious pre-match reaction.
Footage showed Rosenior before their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg shouting: ‘Stay in your half. Stay in your f*****g half. F***ing stay there.’ However, the camera never panned round to show who specifically had ticked off the Blues boss.
Chelsea lost 1-0 on the night, and 4-2 on aggregate, to exit the competition. Now, Rosenior has clarified that his anger was not directed at Arsenal players, but apparently the coaches.
Before their Saturday trip to Wolves, Rosenior said: ‘It wasn’t the players. I’m respectful. When you warm up, you have your half, 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. So, I asked them, maybe not politely, to make sure they stay in their half.
Liam Rosenior has accused Arsenal coaches of a lack of respect during their warm-up against Chelsea on Tuesday
He shouted at Arsenal to ‘stay in your f*****g half’ but it is not clear who was responsible
‘I’m not here to have mind games. It’s just what I think is right and respectful. Hopefully, we respect that and other teams do too.
‘There are certain etiquettes in football. I always try to be as respectful as possible. I always want to win. I’ve never asked my coaches. I don’t have an issue with anyone at Arsenal Football Club.
‘A fantastic manager, Mikel Arteta, I’ve got so much respect for. It was just in that moment, I didn’t think that respect was shown to my team.’
Meanwhile, Rosenior is unsure whether Reece James or Pedro Neto will be available for Wolves away on Saturday, with both facing checks on Friday. They missed the trip to Arsenal.
Chelsea left winger Jamie Gittens is now sidelined after tearing his hamstring with Rosenior saying: ‘He’s looking a little more long-term. It’s a real shame for him.
‘I have not worked with him for too long. Obviously, I know about his career and what an outstanding player he is. That’s going to be a big miss for us.’
