"When you warm up, you have your half and the other team have their half. I've never asked my team or 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 our warm-up."
"I asked them, maybe not politely, to make sure they stay in their half. 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."
"I don't have an issue with anyone at Arsenal Football Club. [Arsenal manager] Mikel [Arteta] is someone I've got so much respect for. It was just in that moment; I didn't think that respect was shown to my team."
Arsenal encroached on Chelsea's warm-up space before the EFL Cup semi-final second leg at the Emirates, prompting Liam Rosenior to intervene and object. Rosenior said teams should warm up on their own half and that the Arsenal presence affected Chelsea's preparation. He asked the players to remain in their half and framed his complaint as a matter of respect and football etiquette, not a personal issue with Arsenal or Mikel Arteta. Arsenal went on to win the tie with a 97th-minute goal by former Chelsea player Jai Havertz. Chelsea have won six of eight matches under Rosenior, with both defeats against Arsenal.
Read at Soccer News
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