Enzo Fernandez had to be held back by Liam Rosenior after squaring up to Martin Zubimendi following Arsenal’s 3-2 win against Chelsea.
There was some confrontation come the final whistle, in the aftermath of an off the ball coming together between Fernandez and Zubimendi, which Fernandez clearly wanted to carry on, his new manager had to try and play peacemaker.
The Carabao Cup semi final first leg tie saw Arsenal take a narrow advantage into the second leg thanks to goals from Ben White on the 7th minute with a header from Declan Rice corner.
Viktor Gyokeres doubled the Gunners’ lead early second half, pouncing on Sanchez error, then substitute Alejandro Garnacho got one back for Chelsea, guiding in Pedro Neto’s cross on 57 minutes.
Martin Zubimendi restored Arsenal’s two goal lead with brilliant finish, then Garnacho got another for Chelsea, volleying home after Kepa Arrizabalaga’s clearance — keeping the tie alive despite the 3-2 defeat.
Liam Rosenior in the thick of it as Enzo Fernandez squares up to Martin Zubimendi! 😬 pic.twitter.com/yJn3lDHHjK
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 14, 2026
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, speaking to beIN Sports: “It’s half-time [in the tie]. I was very happy with the engagement, the commitment of the players. They gave everything. It was every open game. Disappointed to concede from a corner. Disappointed with the third goal as well because we were right back in the game and we were on top at that moment.
“We switched off from a restart from a central free kick but I can’t fault the players. We’ve had illness in the squad, we’ve picked up a few knocks this week but what the squad has shown that they are willing to run and fight for each other.”
On Robert Sanchez’s performance: “Rob’s a very good goalkeeper. He made an outstanding save at 3-1 to keep us in the tie, so for me load of things to improve but the overall attitude of the team I liked. Hopefully, we get a few bodies back for Brentford on Saturday.”
On Alejandro Garnacho coming off the bench to score twice: “I said he would be important off the bench and he proved that today. I’ve got an outstanding squad. What I need them to do is be engaged whether they start the game or whether they come off the bench. Garna showed his quality. I think Pedro Neto was magnificent. Estevao was outstanding as well.
“We need to make sure i we perform well individually we don’t concede as many goals.”
“They didn’t give up.”
Liam Rosenior explains where he thinks the game was lost against Arsenal and what Chelsea can take into the second leg 💪 pic.twitter.com/S1vc9Ev6g9
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 14, 2026
Rosenior, per Sky Sports:
“I asked for energy, pressing, running back and helping the team, and I’m very happy with that side of it. I’m not happy with the result, and I’m not happy with the way we conceded the goals.
“But the players didn’t give up and we’re still in the tie.
“We have to be stronger in moments and we’ll work on it. Conceding two goals from restarts isn’t acceptable, even though we scored one ourselves, and that’s an area we need to clean up.
“I’ve only been with the team for six days, but we want to win games now, so we have to learn quickly, but we’re still in this tie. It’s only half-time.
“It’s going to be very difficult. We’ve got four games before then, but I’m looking forward to that return game because it will tell me even more about my squad. If we show the same fight, intensity and quality, and switch on in key moments, we still have a chance to go through.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to beIN Sports: “It’s half-time [in the tie]. We played against a really good side at a really difficult place. I’m very proud of what the team has done.
“You want to start to play semi-finals and all the work you’ve done throughout the season to get to these stages to deliver on the day and we’ve certainly done that.
“What we’re doing every three days is impressive.”
On having more options up front now Kai Havertz is back: “It raises the level and we need them. They’re going to be so important. There’s going to be minutes for everybody with the amount of games we have, so happy to have them.”
Arteta, per Sky Sports:
“Coming here against a team with the quality they have in every department and doing what we did throughout the game is very impressive. We showed dominance, scored three goals and had two big chances to score a fourth. They scored at a moment that changed the game a bit, but overall I’m very happy. It could have been even better.
“Sometimes you also have to give credit to the opponent. They have players who can unlock duels and run at you, and that’s what they’re capable of doing.
“They opened up the game. The positions and heights they used made them more dangerous when we lost the ball or when they won second balls and duels. At the same time, they were also much more exposed.
“We’re happy tonight, and now it’s time to start preparing for the next game.”
Viktor Gyökeres’ reaction after not receiving the ball from Bukayo Saka in the build-up to his goal 👀 pic.twitter.com/2C9teFNlFt
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 14, 2026
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, speaking to Sky Sports: “I think it was a tough game. We defended well. They were, as always, dangerous when they have counter-attacks, but I think we defended well. Unfortunate to have conceded two but offensively we scored three, so happy with that.”
On Ben White’s assist: “It’s not his first assist for me. I knew he was trying to find me and he did, so it was nice.”
On scoring tonight: “That’s what I need to do and I can do it more often. We won today and we keep going.
“It’s still a second leg but of course it’s good to come away with a win and advantage for the second leg, but we still have to do a good performance in the second match.”
Arsenal defender Ben White, speaking to Sky Sports: “We didn’t play very well in the second half and let them give us more pressure. That’s how we conceded the goals. Not up to our standards really. It’s a bit disappointing, the second half, but a win.”
On scoring: “I was free and managed to get into space.”
On his assist for Viktor Gyokeres: “I knew he was going to be waiting for the ball across. I didn’t really look, to be fair, I was just firing it across.”
Here’s how fans reacted with Enzo Fernandez being held back by Liam Rosenior after squaring up to Martin Zubimendi…
@EliotFowle: I think one of Rosenior’s biggest challenge is getting rid of the petulance in this Chelsea side. Too many times they get riled up over little things & you can see in their performances how it affects them
@sebpedersen01: Starting a fight with Zubimendi of all people tells you how big of an idiot Enzo Fernandez is. Always something with that one
@jamesCFC1905: For every one good game Fernandez has you get 10 where all he does is cry all game and get in little scuffles like this
@thearsenalscout: Enzo Fernandez picking a fight with Zubimendi who is hysterically laughing in his face with behemoth bouncers Havertz, Gabriel, Merino, Saliba and White stepping in. I love this squad.
@DailyAFC: Martin Zubimendi just laughs at Enzo Fernandez at full-time, as the Argentine loses his head in a confrontation… ❌🤣
@real_jackstoner: Does this guy do anything but argue
@Gracie_Blue89: Enzo Fernandez tried to fight the Arsenal squad after the game 🤣🤣 I dont think it was just Zubimendi, he would’ve taken them all on!! Love it!!💙
@LewiGreening: Enzo was asking Zubimendi on tips how to be a world class centre midfielder
@WelBeast: Enzo Fernandez can never finish a game without picking a fight. What a loser.
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