Robert Sanchez: Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior says the goalkeeper’s mistakes in the semi-final loss are on me

Rosenior was generally happy with his team despite the defeat – his first since taking charge – and highlighted the positives in almost every individual performance.

Rosenior added: “The biggest problem for us is that we have suffered from a lot of illnesses and injuries and we are playing against a very good team.”

Cole Palmer, Reece James and Malu Giusto all failed late fitness tests, while Moises Caicedo has been suspended and illness has forced Liam Delap and Jamie Gittins to also remain on the bench.

Regarding Palmer, Rosenior said: “He had a little strain in his groin. If you play a player very early in January with a little strain, it could turn into six weeks. I can’t afford to lose Cole Palmer for six weeks because he’s so good.”

He added that James suffered a “bad blow to his thigh”, but “I hope he will be back on Saturday.”

Rosenior said: “Gittins was sick last night, and Liam Delap was due to play. He was sick four hours before the game.”

“They both had very high temperatures – dangerously high. Hopefully they can rest and be OK for Saturday.”

Rosenior was keen to point out that Chelsea competed well against an Arsenal side that has lost just twice in all competitions this season, and his side can still fight back in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on February 3.

He added: “We may be playing with the best pressing team in Europe today, with their full-strength team, and we are missing a lot of players.”

“I was proud of the players’ courage in trying to implement certain aspects of what I asked. In six days, we played two games. I’m not asking for time because I think the group is good enough to win now.

“But I need to put my stamp on the team as well – otherwise there wouldn’t be any sense in me being here. So it’s a good balance, and I hope the fans will see the team grow. But we need to win at the same time.”