Liam Rosenior talks to the fourth official. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Top pundit has explanation for Rosenior’s Arsenal warm-up 'stunt'

Originally posted on Chelsea News | By Will Faulks | Last updated Feb 27, 2026 6:00 AM ET

Liam Rosenior’s appointment at Chelsea continues to be a major talking point of the season, and Jamie Carragher has given his two cents.

We’ve got to hand it to him – you can say that you like about Jamie Carragher, his articles about Chelsea for the Telegraph, while often very critical, are also usually very well observed and incisive.

His piece today comparing Liam Rosenior and Mikel Arteta’s relative situations starting out at big clubs is really interesting. We particularly liked his words on Rosenior’s “quirks” and “stunts” which have made the news since he took the job at Stamford Bridge.

Rosenior’s Arsenal “stunt” may have been calculated

While many criticised them, especially Rosenior’s rather performative taking issue with the Arsenal players who warmed up in Chelsea’s half of the pitch in the EFL Cup tie at the Emirates earlier this month, Carragher can see the logic:

“Was this premeditated to enable Rosenior to show his new fanbase he is not a soft touch? [Was this] part of a choreographed plan for the new manager to set the tone early on?

If so, Carragher writes “it may have been with good reason.”

Rosenior may have studied the downfall of Enzo Maresca and Graham Potter, who had “negative perceptions” from the fans and decided it was important to confront the concerns that he’s “not ready” for the job by showing that sort of authority.

Rosenior has made a good start to life as Chelsea boss, but according to Carragher he still needs a big win to cement his authority.

This article first appeared on Chelsea News and was syndicated with permission.

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