Liam Rosenior has pointed to Chelsea's recent history of securing major silverware as a crucial psychological edge ahead of their pivotal Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal. The Blues, who triumphed in both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup last season, face a Gunners side that has not lifted a trophy since their 2020 FA Cup victory.
Chelsea's Winning Mentality Versus Arsenal's Silverware Drought
Speaking ahead of Tuesday night's high-stakes London derby at The Emirates Stadium, the Chelsea manager highlighted the big-game pedigree within his squad. "I look at maybe Enzo Fernandez has won a World Cup as well, as the group winning two trophies last year," Rosenior stated. "They can play in big games; they can perform in big games, and it is definitely a big game on Tuesday."
This contrast in recent success forms a compelling narrative. While Arsenal currently lead the Premier League and their Champions League group, their last piece of major silverware was secured over four years ago. Bukayo Saka remains the sole survivor from that 2020 FA Cup-winning squad, and Mikel Arteta's team has developed an unfortunate pattern, losing their last four two-legged semi-final ties.
Rosenior Focused on Recovery and Preparation
When questioned about whether Arsenal's lack of recent big-match wins could influence the outcome, Rosenior maintained a disciplined focus on his own team's preparations. "Talking about what Arsenal or Mikel Arteta have or haven't done. That's not my concern," he asserted. "My concern is resting. It's another three-game week. We need to recover. It's going to be a really physical game on Tuesday and preparing the team as best I can for that game."
The Chelsea boss arrives at this crucial juncture in superb form, having won all five of his matches since replacing Enzo Maresca last month. This run has propelled the Blues to within two victories of securing a trophy under his nascent leadership.
No 'Best Eleven' Philosophy and Squad Depth
Rosenior, who demonstrated decisive in-game management by making three half-time substitutions in Saturday's comeback win over West Ham, elaborated on his managerial philosophy. He firmly dismissed the notion of having a fixed starting lineup.
"I don't have a best 11. I never have done in all of the clubs that I've worked with," he explained. "Why? Because of the demands, the physical demands of the Premier League... You need a squad, and you need to use the players in the correct way to challenge over the course of the season."
He praised the impact of his substitutes, attributing their success to mentality rather than just tactics. "So far I have to say the substitutes in every game that we've played have made a huge impact. It's not down to my tactical stuff, there's some part of that, but it's down to their mentality to come on and help the team."
Personal Validation Not a Priority
Despite the impressive start to his tenure, Rosenior downplayed any personal narrative surrounding his suitability for the Chelsea job. "I'll be really honest, all this proof of me being right for the job or not, I don't really care," he said. "I'm here to do the job; I don't care. If we get to the final, it's great for Chelsea Football Club that we're in the final, it's not about me."
The task ahead is formidable. Arsenal hold a slender 3-2 advantage from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, which stands as Rosenior's only defeat since taking charge. The Gunners, despite their league position, have shown occasional signs of nerves at home as they pursue a first league title since 2022. When asked if Chelsea could exploit this potential anxiety, Rosenior offered a succinct response: "We'll see. We'll see. We'll go and play our game."
The stage is set for a classic cup tie, with Chelsea's trophy-laden recent past colliding with Arsenal's present-day aspirations but prolonged silverware wait. Rosenior will be hoping the winning mentality ingrained in his squad proves decisive under the lights at The Emirates.
