Chelsea’s strategy for defending corners was notable, especially against an Arsenal team that has been strong in this area this season.
Liam Rosenior had three defenders move out of the box right before the corner was taken, which Gary Lineker described as “clever.”
On The Rest is Football, Lineker mentioned, “Arsenal excels in set pieces, and Rosenior implemented an interesting tactic for corners.”
“I’ve seen this strategy before; whenever Chelsea faced a corner, they’d place three players on the halfway line. This forced Arsenal to adjust their positioning,” he added.
“I recall trying something similar during training with Terry Venables at Barcelona. We had five players on the halfway line. He wanted to see how opposing teams would react. After a week of practice, he decided against it. But Rosenior actually used it.”
“While it’s not a new idea, it’s intriguing, particularly against Arsenal. Their players often surround the goalkeeper, meaning Chelsea couldn’t mimic that strategy since it requires having an extra player on defense.”
“It shows Rosenior is thinking creatively, and it’s a smart way to defend against Arsenal.”
Liam Rosenior feels the heat ahead of Wolves clash
Rosenior has had a solid start in the league, but the pressure is on to maintain this performance. The team’s early exit from the EFL Cup added to the challenge.
Although his league results have been strong, another defeat could risk Chelsea’s position in the Champions League, especially if other teams perform well.
The expectation is clear: Rosenior must aim for a top five finish, and his focus is likely on that goal.
This weekend’s match against Wolves is a good opportunity to create positive momentum. With Wolves at the bottom of the table, failing to secure three points would intensify questions about Chelsea’s direction under their new manager.