Sky pundit “flabbergasted” by “odd, odd approach from Rosenior after tactical gamble

Chelsea’s approach against Arsenal tonight saw the Blues play a defensive team and sit deep in the first half, before bringing on their attacking options in the second period.

“Delap on the right wing. A 5-4-1 formation out of possession. Chelsea’s plan seemed to keep it at 0-0 and then finally go for it in the final 20 minutes,” Sky Sports’ Joe Shead wrote.

“An expected goals total of 0.68 tells it’s own story. They were still trying to pass it into the box in the 97th minute. You could say it was a defensive masterclass by Chelsea, until Havertz scored. But they needed to win by two goals.

“Odd, odd approach from Rosenior.”

Paul Merson was a pundit in the studio and he had similar takes:

“I’m flabbergasted. I can’t believe what I’ve just watched. Chelsea aren’t a bottom-five team. They have World Cup winners,” Merson said.

“Fofana is crying. He should be crying because they never had a go. They’ve gone out with a whimper in a semi-final. It hasn’t worked. Go out in a blaze of glory, don’t go out like that.”

Rosenior’s plan doesn’t work out

Cole Palmer’s free kick hits the wall. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

We’re a little more divided on the ideal. In the end, it does look an overly ambitious plan. But it’s easy to be smart after the fact. When the home side were looking nervy at the end of the first half and the crowd were getting twitchy, it was all going to plan. It just needed a more decisive attacking switch.

In other news…

Chelsea’s first half was very defensive, but Joao Pedro still did a superb job leading the line and holding the ball up despite that.

Reece James’ absence for this game raised a lot of questions, and we’re sure Liam Rosenior will be asked about them after full time. The Athletic are saying that it’s just a question of being rested.