Rosenior vows to put his ‘imprint’ on Chelsea after first-leg defeat

Liam Rosenior insisted he will put his “imprint” on Chelsea despite a 3-2 defeat against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg – his first home match since taking over as head coach.

Chelsea face a tough task in the second leg, at the Emirates Stadium on 3 February, and will have to pull off a comeback against the Premier League leaders if they are to reach the final.

Arsenal got off to an ideal start inside seven minutes, when Ben White headed in from a corner by Declan Rice.

And Mikel Arteta’s side doubled their lead four minutes after the break when Viktor Gyokeres forced the ball home from close range after Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez spilled a low cross from White.

However, Rosenior sent on substitute Alejandro Garnacho – and the Argentine scored twice, firing home from an angle and then netting again after Martin Zubimendi had made it 3-1.

“I have to put my imprint on the team,” said Rosenior.

“I have to make sure we win and improve, but there are very fine margins. When my players make mistakes I’m accountable. What you know with me is I will protect my players. I have a lot of faith that we will improve as a team.

“There were great moments when the fans were with us, especially when we brought it back to 2-1.

“I thought Estevao had magical moments and I am really looking forward to working with this group.

“We played probably the best pressing team in Europe, who were at full strength. You are never happy to lose a game, but the intensity was great.”

Chelsea face a west London derby on Saturday when in-form Brentford visit Stamford Bridge.

Rosenior said he expects Cole Palmer and Reece James, who missed out against Arsenal, to be fit this weekend.

Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens have been struggling with illness and were unavailable against the Gunners.

“Jamie Gittens was ill last night and Liam Delap was ill four hours before the game and could not play,” Rosenior explained.

“We want to keep the ill players away from the group so it does not spread. Both of them had dangerously high temperatures. Hopefully they will be okay for Saturday.”

He added: “I need to put my stamp in things otherwise there is no point me being here.

“The players have been magnificent in taking on board ideas. I want us to be high tempo and to control the ball in games.

“ I am very encouraged by a lot of things I saw ahead of Saturday.”