Louis Sealey
Published March 1, 2026 11:36pm
Updated March 1, 2026 11:36pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
Liam Rosenior after Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal (Picture: Stadium Astro)
Liam Rosenior suggested Declan Rice should have conceded a penalty in Arsenal’s narrow Premier League win over Chelsea.
The Gunners restored their five-point lead over title rivals Manchester City and dented Chelsea’s top-four hopes with a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.
All three goals came from corners with Jurrien Timber netting Arsenal’s second-half winner after an own goal from Piero Hincapie had cancelled out William Saliba’s early opener.
Another first-half corner did not result in a goal but appeals for a penalty from the Chelsea players after Reece James’ inswinging delivery struck Rice on the arm.
Rice was wrestling with Jorrel Hato at the near post and as both leaped into the air the ball hit the England midfielder’s arm before going out for another corner.
Some Chelsea players approached the referee but Darren England waved their appeals away and VAR decided intervention was not needed.
Explaining the decision, the PGMOL said: ‘The referee’s call of no penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed there was no punishable handball offence with Rice challenging an opponent as the ball hit his arm.’
Your football fix
Metro's Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week's biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.
Sign up here, it's an open goal.
Chelsea wanted a penalty for a Declan Rice handball (Picture: Getty)
But former referee Mark Clattenburg believes Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty and said it was another example of ‘inconsistent’ decisions made by Premier League officials.
‘Declan Rice defends a corner kick and clearly moves his arm to the ball and a penalty kick should have been awarded,’ Clattenburg told The Chelsea Chronicle.
‘We see each week the inconsistency with refereeing decisions and this week is no different. The ball comes from a long distance and a clear movement of the arm to the ball should always result in a penalty.’
Jurrien Timber scored Arsenal’s winner (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea boss Rosenior was also unhappy with the decision, telling Stadium Astro with a wry smile: ‘It’s not the first time it’s happened to us. It doesn’t seem to happen to other teams. That’s all I’ll say on that.’
While Rosenior felt Chelsea deserved a penalty against Arsenal, he acknowledged his team were to blame for large aspects of the defeat.
Chelsea not only conceded from two corners but also lost a player to a red card for the seventh time in the Premier League this season.
‘I’m frustrated and disappointed,’ Rosenior told BBC Radio 5 Live after Chelsea’s winless league run extended to three games.
"Today, set-pieces made the difference!"Patrick Vieira on nerves having an impact on Arsenal's performances, and his faith in the squad's quality 🔎 pic.twitter.com/yIySOwPK9U
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 1, 2026
‘If we don’t eradicate the set-play issues that have started to creep into our game and our discipline issues, then for all of the good things we do in the game, we are not going to get what we want to achieve.
‘It is something we need to address. There is certain focus and concentration issues that we have to address. We worked on set-plays all week and, as a manager, that makes it even more difficult to swallow.
‘We knew Arsenal’s one of their biggest strengths is that. It needs to stop. For all of that, I am tired of coming out – we have had one difficult performance against Burnley, which we should win anyway.
Reece James after Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
‘Leeds, we were very good, and we gifted two goals away. Today, to come away at Arsenal and perform how we have done in large parts – give away two goals is really, really disappointing.’
On Chelsea’s dismal disciplinary record after Pedro Neto was sent off against Arsenal, Rosenior added: ‘Same story.
‘Two things – anyone watching this game or the previous two games there is two things we have to improve. Which is discipline and defending set-plays and if we can do that, then we can still have a very, very good season.
More Trending
-
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: Saliba and Timber keep Gunners title charge on course
Channel: Football Football 7 hours ago By Tony Mogan - Owen Hargreaves tips £69m Liverpool signing to become 'the best in the world'
- Man Utd 2-1 Crystal Palace: Sesko-inspired Red Devils come from behind to continue revival
- Man Utd stars in agreement over perfect manager for full-time position
‘To be honest, again for Enzo [Maresca], I have a huge respect for him as a coach and as a man. He tried really hard, and I will continue not to speak about what has happened before.
‘We have slipped back into something that I don’t like to see.’
The defeat leaves Chelsea sixth in the Premier League, six points outside the Champions League places, ahead of Wednesday’s clash with top-four rivals Aston Villa.
Arsenal, meanwhile, continue their quest to win a long-awaited league title with a trip to Brighton on the same day.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow MORE: Reece James admits Chelsea have a problem after ‘bitterly disappointing’ Arsenal loss
Arrow MORE: Ian Wright reveals ‘worry’ for Arsenal after win over Chelsea
Arrow MORE: Mikel Arteta gives Declan Rice injury update after Arsenal beat Chelsea
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The MixerPunchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro's football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.
Team Expand Options ? Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy