‘A fantastic coach’ – Flick tips Alonso to have ‘great future’ after Madrid exit
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Sanchez flapped at a corner which allowed Arsenal defender Ben White to nod home inside seven minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Four minutes after half-time, Sanchez failed to collect White’s low cross, allowing Viktor Gyokeres to tap in his first goal since the turn of the year.
While Chelsea ultimately could not find parity in the first leg, Alejandro Garnacho’s double helped them fight back and set up an intriguing second leg – with Martin Zubimendi’s goal giving Arsenal a slight advantage heading to the Emirates.
And Sanchez was on hand to keep Chelsea’s deficit at just the one goal with a series of late saves, including an excellent stop to deny Mikel Merino’s volley from point-blank range.
Rosenior admitted the opening goal was “disappointing” from a Chelsea standpoint, but refused to lay the entirety of the blame with his goalkeeper.
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Alonso ‘wished me the best’ after taking Real Madrid job – Arbeloa
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“I said to him before the game, and I made this really clear, when my players make mistakes, I’m accountable. That’s on me.
“He made a save in the second-half that was absolutely world-class. That could have put us out of the tie.
“He will improve in terms of his understanding. He’s had a very good season. There were very, very good moments with him. I’ll stay positive with him, as I will with all the group. My job is to help them, not to blame them.”
Rosenior added: “I’ve had two days’ work with him.
“I have to put my imprint on the team. That’s why I’m here. I don’t want to do that to the detriment of the results, but I need to make sure we win now, but we keep improving for where we want to get to this season.
“It’s a very fine margin. There are a lot of positives in Rob’s performance today. What you’ll know with me is I protect my players. I’m asking him to do things.
“If he makes a mistake, doing what I’m asking him to do, that’s on me. I have a lot of faith that in the long term we’ll improve as a team with the messages that we’re giving him in all the plays.”
The defeat was Rosenior’s first match at Stamford Bridge following his appointment as Enzo Maresca’s successor, and he was pleased with the mental attributes displayed by his side, in the face of a number of absences in his squad through suspension, injury and illness.
On the spirit shown by his players, Rosenior said: “That was what made me so happy. I’m never happy to lose a game of football, of course, but I saw an energy of determination and intensity.
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Newcastle ‘still alive and fighting’ in Carabao Cup, says Howe
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“I felt Enzo Fernandez was outstanding in midfield with Andrey Santos. Bearing in mind the fact that we’ve had an illness in the camp, I thought Marc Guiu gave everything.
“I want that in this team. I want us to be known as a team that never gives up, that will run, that will fight, that will press. I thought our press in the first-half was very good, but we unfortunately conceded from a set play. That’s something that we need to improve on.”
Arteta lauds Zubimendi
Summer signing Zubimendi, who has been a pivotal figure in Arsenal’s stellar 2025/26 season, received huge praise from Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta after another influential display.
The Spain international was on hand to extend Arsenal’s lead to 3-1, showing great composure to round Wesley Fofana before slotting home with a left-footed strike on 71 minutes.
Arteta compared Zubimendi’s qualities to those of his midfield partner, Declan Rice, and said his summer recruit “can do whatever he wants” with the skillset he possesses.
“We just have to keep unlocking that in his system, in his brain because he’s so good at occupying different spaces, carrying the ball, dribbling, winning duels and he has a talent when he gets into the final set and into the box.
“He’s so composed, he sees the picture very clearly. The picture actually is clear sometimes. I think he is phenomenal, not only the goal, but the performance as well.”
The victory for Arsenal is another boost in their pursuit for a first major trophy since 2020.
“The win is really good because it’s a really tough place to come,” Arteta continued. “They are a top side and when you watch them live as well, the quality that they have, how they open you up in a second during the game is impressive, that is why I really value my team.”
