‘Disrespectful’ Arsenal violated ‘etiquettes’ of football, says Liam Rosenior: Chelsea boss explains his ‘stay in your f***ing half’ outburst

Liam Rosenior has accused Arsenal‘s coaches of violating the ‘etiquettes’ of football and showing a lack of ‘respect’ during Tuesday’s warm-up at the Emirates Stadium.

Footage showed Rosenior before their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg shouting: ‘Stay in your half. Stay in your f*****g half. F*****g stay there.’ But the camera never panned round to show exactly who the Blues boss’s ire was aimed at.

Chelsea lost 1-0 on the night, and 4-2 on aggregate, to exit the competition. Now Rosenior has clarified that his anger was not directed at Arsenal players, but at their coaches.

Speaking before Chelsea’s trip to Wolves on Saturday, Rosenior said: ‘It wasn’t the players. I’m respectful. When you warm up, you have your half, the other team have their half.

‘I’ve never asked my team or my 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 my lads’ warm-up and my staff’s warm-up. So, I asked them, maybe not politely, to make sure they stay in their half. 

He shouted at Arsenal to ‘stay in your f*****g half’ but it was not clear who he was angry with

‘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. 

‘There are certain etiquettes in football. I always try to be as respectful as possible. I always want to win. I’ve never asked my coaches. I don’t have an issue with anyone at Arsenal Football Club.

‘A fantastic manager, Mikel Arteta, I’ve got so much respect for. It was just in that moment, I didn’t think that respect was shown to my team.’

Meanwhile, Rosenior is unsure whether Reece James or Pedro Neto will be available for Wolves away on Saturday, with both facing checks on Friday. They missed the trip to Arsenal.

Chelsea left winger Jamie Gittens is now sidelined after tearing his hamstring with Rosenior saying: ‘He’s looking a little more long-term. It’s a real shame for him. 

‘I have not worked with him for too long. Obviously, I know about his career and what an outstanding player he is. That’s going to be a big miss for us.’