Liam Rosenior showcased his tactical acumen for the first time since becoming Chelsea’s manager four weeks ago.
Up to this point, the English coach had mostly adhered to the system established by his predecessor, Enzo Maresca, aiming to avoid overwhelming his players with too much information too quickly.
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However, after securing victories in six of his first seven matches, including his first four in the Premier League, Rosenior surprised his counterpart with a bold lineup.
For the first time since March 2024, during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure, Chelsea aligned with three centre-backs. This formation is likely to resonate with fans, reminiscent of Thomas Tuchel’s tactical setup during the club’s 2021 Champions League victory and Antonio Conte’s strategy in their 2017 Premier League-winning season.
In addition, Rosenior made a daring choice by leaving three players high up the pitch to launch counter-attacks during Arsenal’s corner kicks. This tactic allowed Arsenal to outnumber Chelsea in the penalty area; however, Chelsea’s forward commitment could have posed a risk during counter-attacks.
In response, Arsenal adjusted by bringing additional players back for cover, which gave goalkeeper Robert Sanchez space to claim crosses—one of his key strengths.
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This approach contrasted sharply with Chelsea’s struggles in the first leg, where they conceded an early goal from a corner and allowed three goals from set-pieces.
For the first 45 minutes, Arsenal’s front four saw minimal action, and Rosenior’s tactical changes proved beneficial, as Enzo Fernandez forced a save just before halftime during a tense first period.
At the 59-minute mark, Chelsea made a double substitution, bringing on Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian for Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap in an effort to revert to a more familiar formation. Alejandro Garnacho also joined the game later, taking the field for midfielder Andrey Santos as an additional attacking option.
Despite their attacking efforts, Arsenal, known for their solid defense this season, held strong, conceding only a half-chance—Wesley Fofana’s flick from an 82nd-minute corner—and a few long-range attempts from the in-form Fernandez.
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As Chelsea pressed for a goal to stay in the tie, a familiar face, Kai Havertz, ended their hopes with a crucial strike.
Although it felt unjust for Chelsea to lose on the night, Rosenior can still find reasons for optimism given the significant improvement displayed compared to their first leg at Stamford Bridge, where the tie had largely slipped from their grasp.