Coach Mikel Arteta unexpectedly issues an apology to Chelsea

Coach Mikel Arteta formally apologized to Liam Rosenior after the warm-up incident prior to the Carabao Cup semi-final, and reassured the public while updating on Arsenal’s player availability.

Mikel Arteta expressed regret to Liam Rosenior after the Chelsea head coach voiced frustration, accusing Arsenal’s coaching staff of encroaching on the visitors’ side during the warm-up before the match. The two teams faced off in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Emirates Stadium, where Rosenior appeared visibly upset by the home side’s conduct.

In a video circulating before kickoff, the Chelsea coach was heard loudly demanding: “Stay on your side of the pitch. Remain on your own half.” Although the camera did not clearly capture who was being addressed, Rosenior later confirmed his anger was directed at Arsenal’s assistant coaches.

“It wasn’t aimed at the players. I have always respected the opposition. During warm-ups, each team has their own half. I’ve never asked players or staff to cross into the other team’s area,” Rosenior explained. “They disrupted the warm-up routine for my players and staff. So I had to intervene, maybe not in the most polite way. I’m not playing mind games; I just want proper respect and fairness.”

The Chelsea coach also emphasized he holds no personal grudge against anyone at Arsenal: “I have great respect for Mikel Arteta, a brilliant coach. It was just in that moment I felt the respect for my team was lacking.”

Ahead of this weekend’s match against Sunderland, Mikel Arteta formally issued an apology. “That’s his perspective and we respect everyone. If any of our coaching staff crossed the line, we apologize. This kind of thing is quite common in football, especially when goalkeepers take long kicks during warm-ups, so there’s nothing more to add,”Arteta stated.

The Spanish manager also updated on the squad, confirming Martin Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber are very close to returning, while Bukayo Saka is likely to be ready soon, although he might not make it for this weekend’s game.

Arsenal currently lead the league table by six points over Manchester City before hosting Sunderland, who sit eighth. The teams drew 2-2 in their first meeting at the Stadium of Light. Arteta asserted: “Every opponent presents a unique challenge. The key is to maintain our hunger and commitment in every match. If we do that, our chances of winning are very high.”

Additionally, Arteta refuted criticism regarding Arsenal’s style of play: “I hear the complete opposite. Across Europe, people say we are the most exciting team, scoring the most goals and keeping the most clean sheets. Maybe I have different sources.” When asked about the difference between domestic and international opinions, he jokingly replied: “Send me their names, addresses, and emails; maybe we can have a chat.”

This weekend, Arsenal face Sunderland, while Chelsea will visit Wolves (currently bottom of the table) as they try to recover from their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat. Chelsea sit fifth, trailing Arsenal by 13 points in the title race.