Liam Rosenior is no stranger to the pressures and expectations that come with managing a club as storied as Chelsea, but as he prepares for his Stamford Bridge debut in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal, the new Blues boss is already drawing inspiration from one of his Premier League rivals. Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated clash, Rosenior expressed his admiration for Mikel Arteta’s tenure at Arsenal, highlighting the Spaniard’s steady rise and the patience that has underpinned his project in north London.
“Yeah, I'd love to be here for six years and longer,” Rosenior admitted when asked about the prospect of emulating Arteta’s longevity at Arsenal. “But I'm aware that in order for that to happen, I need to win. It's as simple as that.” His candid assessment underscores the reality of modern football management, where time is a luxury reserved for those who deliver results.
Arteta, who took charge of Arsenal in late 2019, has overseen a remarkable transformation. The Gunners are now considered favorites for the Premier League title, a testament to the vision and resilience that has characterized his reign. Rosenior, appointed as Chelsea manager earlier this month, recognizes the challenges ahead but is confident in his ability to shape a winning side. “Every club has a different project, and the word project comes out a lot in football, but the idea in any project is you are trying to win every game,” he said. “I’ve got ideas about what I want the team to look like in a year, two years, three years, but I've got enough resources and enough tools with me now to win and I've made that clear to the players.”
Rosenior’s journey bears certain parallels to Arteta’s own path. Both were appointed to their first Premier League managerial roles at a relatively young age, tasked with rebuilding teams in transition. “Everyone starts somewhere,” Rosenior reflected. “Mikel is someone who has done an incredible job. He’s had time to build the way he wants the team to look. They’re very well organised. Everyone has a different background, and a way of getting somewhere. So, you respect everyone in the industry, because it’s a difficult industry especially as a coach where you’re judged on every word and action. If you can’t deal with that pressure you shouldn’t be in the job.”
The pressure has certainly been on from the start for Rosenior, whose first game in charge saw Chelsea sweep aside Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the FA Cup at The Valley. Yet, even in victory, selection headaches persist. Key players Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Malo Gusto were all absent from the squad, their omissions raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. The trio, it turns out, were rested as precautionary measures after picking up minor knocks in the previous match against Fulham.
“Malo, Cole and Reece were precautionary today,” Rosenior clarified after the Charlton win. “I don't want to take any risks at this stage of the season. They had minor tweaks or knocks from the Fulham game. I feel like I've got such a good squad here, I don't need to risk their health at the moment. We have a huge game on Wednesday [against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg]. We have a huge game on Saturday [against Brentford]. I'll check the medical reports tonight and tomorrow morning and see how they are then.”
As the Arsenal tie looms, Rosenior continues to weigh his options. “I'll make a decision on Cole, Reece and Malo tomorrow,” he told reporters on January 12. “I'm giving them some extra time. It was a good time for them to rest in an FA Cup game. I believe in this group, and there's no reason to take risks on players' health if you believe that you can win the game and they can do extra training sessions and extra bits of work.” He reiterated that there had been “no injury problems coming out from Charlton, which is a really, really good thing.”
Cole Palmer, in particular, has been a player on the rise since returning from a groin injury that disrupted his early season. His creativity and attacking flair have become increasingly vital to Chelsea’s attack, and his potential return against Arsenal could provide a timely boost. Reece James, the club captain, has also been a steadying presence at right-back, his leadership and defensive acumen sorely missed whenever absent. Malo Gusto, who has started eight of Chelsea’s last nine games, has proven his versatility on both flanks and was kept fresh for the upcoming cup clashes.
While the fitness of these three remains a game-day decision, Chelsea’s injury list is not limited to short-term concerns. Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia, sidelined since November 2025 with a muscle problem sustained in the Champions League, has no set return date. Defender Levi Colwill, meanwhile, is out for the season after tearing his ACL in pre-season, a blow softened only by the Blues’ depth and recent successes—most notably their Club World Cup triumph in East Rutherford, where they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final.
The absence of Moises Caciedo, suspended for the Arsenal clash, further complicates Rosenior’s selection puzzle. Yet, the manager remains resolute, emphasizing his belief in the squad at his disposal. “I believe in this group. There's no reason to take risks on players' health, if you believe you can win the game and they can come through and get extra training sessions and extra bits of work, and that's the way it's worked out so far.”
For Chelsea supporters, the Carabao Cup semi-final represents not just a shot at silverware but a litmus test for the new manager’s vision and adaptability. Arsenal, under Arteta, have set the benchmark for patient, progressive team-building—something Rosenior is eager to replicate. The stakes are high, and with Stamford Bridge set to host a capacity crowd, the atmosphere promises to be electric.
As Wednesday night approaches, all eyes will be on Rosenior’s team sheet. Will Palmer, James, and Gusto be fit to feature? Can Chelsea’s depth and resilience carry them through against the league leaders? One thing is certain: Rosenior is determined to make his mark, drawing lessons from Arteta’s journey while forging his own path in the pressure-cooker environment of Premier League football.
With the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg just hours away, anticipation is at fever pitch. Rosenior’s Stamford Bridge debut may not define his Chelsea legacy, but it will offer an early glimpse into the direction the club is heading under his stewardship. The action is set to unfold, and the story of Chelsea’s new era is only just beginning.
