Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior labeled his team's decision-making "unacceptable" following a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal. The loss, marked by two goals conceded from Arsenal's set-piece routines and a red card for Pedro Neto, undoes recent positive momentum.
Rosenior expressed deep disappointment, noting a recurrence of issues that have plagued the team's top-five aspirations. The manager highlighted the concession of goals from predictable corner plays and the subsequent dismissal of Neto for dissent and a foul, occurring just minutes after Arsenal's second goal.
"To concede two goals from set plays, which ultimately has cost us the game, is really disappointing," Rosenior stated. "Then to have another red card, again, really disappointed. It's not just Pedro. I think as a group, me as the leader as well, we have to take more accountability for some of the decision-making we're having in terms of our discipline and in terms of the goals we concede."
Chelsea, who equalized via a Piero Hincapie own goal, were arguably the better side for periods and even threatened to snatch a point with 10 men. However, the defeat leaves them in sixth place, necessitating a strong run of victories to re-enter the top five.
With seven players red-carded in the league this season, Rosenior acknowledges discipline is a significant problem. "We need to do something, for sure," he said. "The quality of our play is good. But if we don't eradicate this, it's going to be the thing that costs us."