Rosenior confident Chelsea can combat Arsenal set pieces

Liam Rosenior has said he is confident that Chelsea can combat the threat of Arsenal when the clubs meet in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Chelsea host Arsenal in the first leg of their last-four tie tonight, as Rosenior looks to take his new side to a major cup final.

Arsenal are the current leaders in the Premier League and Champions League, while the Gunners have emerged as one of the best set-piece teams in Europe. At the weekend, Arsenal scored three times from set pieces in the club’s 4-1 win at Portsmouth.

Speaking ahead of the game, Rosenior said Chelsea have been working hard behind the scenes to combat Arsenal’s attacking threat.

“We’ve been working tactically on Arsenal from the moment I came into the club,” he said.

“We know what an important game it is, we’ve watched all of their games, analysed every aspect of their game, including set plays, which they’re very good at. There’s a lot you can affect.

“We talk about systems and tactics, the way you press, the way you build, but what I was very happy with – after only being here for two days – was the attitude of the team against Charlton: in terms of our energy, in terms of our intensity to press, in terms of winning duels.

“If you don’t have intensity, if you’re not willing to do the basics – win duels or defend set plays well – you make it very difficult to win.

“I’m confident in the group and they’ve shown, not just in the time before me but in the last few days, that they’re really hungry. They really believe in themselves.”

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