Chelsea Fans Demand Liam Rosenior Never Picks Player Again After Arsenal Defeat

Chelsea fans have told Liam Rosenior to drop one player after he lost his first home game in charge to Arsenal.

The Blues suffered a 3-2 defeat to the Gunners at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Ben White opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta's side on seven minutes from a corner, before Viktor Gyokeres made it 2-0 on 49 minutes.

Substitute Alejandro Garnacho gave Chelsea hope of getting back into the contest by firing home on 57 minutes.

After Martin Zubimendi had put Arsenal back in control of the tie to make it 3-1, Garnacho scored his second of the evening on 84 minutes with a half-volley to make it 3-2.

Viktor Gyökeres doubles Arsenal's lead! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/wWLIKKp1bM

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 14, 2026

After his first match ended in a 5-1 win over Championship side Charlton in the FA Cup third round, Rosenior's second game in charge did not go how the new manager would have liked.

He was missing a host of key players, with Moises Caicedo, Reece James and Cole Palmer among those absent.

But fans are calling on a starter from Wednesday's clash to be dropped from the team moving forwards.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has largely been Chelsea's first-choice shot-stopper since his arrival at the club from Brighton in 2023.

There were question marks over that status during his first two seasons, and although he has started the 2025/26 campaign in impressive form, the Spaniard made two costly errors against Arsenal.

He missed his attempted punch prior to White's header which opened the scoring, while a cross went between his gloves and underneath him prior to Gyokeres tapping in Arsenal's second from close range.

Ben White gives Arsenal the lead just seven minutes into the first leg 🔴

More set-piece joy for Arsenal at Stamford Bridge! pic.twitter.com/X3fbmmaNxj

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 14, 2026

Though Sanchez did make a superb block save to deny Mikel Merino late on, there was still significant criticism over his overall display.

One fan wrote: "Tonight should be the last time Robert Sanchez puts on a Chelsea jersey."

A second stated: "This Robert Sanchez performance against Arsenal tonight."

While a third said: "Replacing Robert Sanchez is the most obvious upgrade in Chelsea's team. Has been for about 2 years."

A fourth agreed: "Can't see how Sanchez survives another summer."

A potential replacement for Sanchez is already within Chelsea's ranks - and has worked with Rosenior at Strasbourg.

Belgian youth international Mike Penders signed for the Blues in January, before being loaned out to the French side for the 2025/26 season.

And the 20-year-old has earned significant praise while overseas, both in terms of his shot-stopping and distribution.

He has been tipped as a future star of world football - but it remains to be seen as to how quickly Rosenior will integrate him as first-choice goalkeeper at Chelsea.