Rosenior: Unfair to describe Arsenal as 'Set Piece FC'

Chelsea's newly appointed coach, Liam Rosenior, dismissed criticism that Arsenal's emphasis on set plays under Mikel Arteta is regressive, labeling it a strategic strength. Speaking ahead of their League Cup semifinal first leg, Rosenior praised Arsenal as a versatile and well-organized team excelling in multiple areas, including set pieces.

Arsenal currently leads the Premier League by six points and has a perfect record in the Champions League group stage, showcasing few weaknesses in their pursuit of a first trophy since 2020. Rosenior highlighted their effectiveness both with and without the ball, attributing their success to meticulous preparation and execution.

In his debut match, Rosenior guided Chelsea to a 5-1 FA Cup victory over Charlton Athletic, opting to rest key players like Cole Palmer and Reece James for fitness reasons, with both potentially returning against Arsenal. The semifinal's second leg is scheduled for February 3 at Arsenal's home ground.

The other League Cup semifinal features Newcastle United against Manchester City, with their first leg set to take place at Newcastle on Tuesday.

#Premier League #UEFA Champions League #Set-Piece Tactics #Key Player Rotation