Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal: We paid for costly errors in defeat - Blues boss Liam Rosenior

Rosenior's first home game since replacing Enzo Maresca as Chelsea boss saw the Blues struggle with unforced errors in a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal took an early lead in the 7th minute through Ben White, who headed home from a corner after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez failed to claim the delivery.

The lead was doubled shortly after halftime when Viktor Gyokeres tapped in following another miscalculation by Sanchez.

Garnacho double keeps Blues alive. Despite the errors, Chelsea displayed resilience. Substitute Alejandro Garnacho sparked a comeback with a clinical back-post finish, but Martin Zubimendi quickly restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion with a composed solo effort.

Garnacho’s second goal in the 83rd minute ultimately narrowed the deficit, giving Chelsea a vital lifeline for February's second leg.

Speaking after the match, Rosenior was honest about the defensive failings.

“Disappointed to concede from a corner. Disappointed with the third goal as well because we were right back in the game and we were on top at that moment,” he said.

“We switched off from a restart from a central free-kick but I can’t fault the players. We need to make sure we perform well individually and we don’t concede as many goals.”

Chelsea’s task was made harder by the absence of stars Cole Palmer, Reece James, and Liam Delap due to injury and illness.

However, Rosenior took heart from his squad’s fighting spirit.

“We’ve had illness in the squad, we’ve picked up a few knocks this week, but what the squad has shown is that they are willing to run and fight for each other,” he added.