Paul Merson ‘flabbergasted’ by Chelsea display after Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has strongly criticised Chelsea’s approach following their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, admitting he was “flabbergasted” by what he described as a lack of ambition from the Blues.

Chelsea arrived at the Emirates Stadium trailing by a goal from the first leg at Stamford Bridge but struggled to impose themselves on the contest. While they succeeded in limiting Arsenal’s attacking threat for long spells, the visitors offered little going forward and failed to apply sustained pressure despite needing to overturn the deficit.

The Blues managed just two shots on target throughout the match and only attempted to raise the tempo during stoppage time. Arsenal ultimately sealed the tie late on when Kai Havertz struck to confirm a narrow victory and book the Gunners’ place in the final.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson was openly critical of Chelsea’s performance and mentality.

“I’m flabbergasted. I can’t believe what I’ve just watched,” he said. “Chelsea have World Cup winners — this is not a bottom-five team.

“Fofana is crying, and he should be crying because they never had a go. They’ve gone out of a semi-final with a whimper. If you’re going out, go out in a blaze of glory — don’t go out like that.

“They’ve got the players to compete with Arsenal and they didn’t have a go. You come off the pitch thinking you’ve been beaten without really trying. That stays with you for the rest of your career.”

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior defended his team’s tactical approach, insisting there were signs of progress despite the result.

“I felt there were clear improvements,” Rosenior said. “We needed to give ourselves the best chance possible. I thought we controlled the second half, but the game didn’t go the way we wanted.

“There are many aspects to football — tactical, psychological, physical — and also the players available to you. It’s difficult to judge the game plan solely on the result.”

However, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp sided with Merson, describing Chelsea’s performance as disappointing.

“It was a tough watch,” Redknapp said. “I could see what Chelsea were trying to do — stay in the game and then bring on the big guns — but it never really happened.

“Arsenal weren’t at their best, but they were comfortable. Chelsea never found the urgency or quality needed.

“In semi-finals, you have to throw caution to the wind. You need to get the ball into the box and play with no regrets. I think there will be plenty of regrets in that dressing room.”

Rosenior has been in charge at Stamford Bridge for less than a month, and while Chelsea’s League Cup campaign has ended, the club remain in contention for a top-four finish in the Premier League and have already secured a place in the top eight of the Champions League, with a last-16 tie scheduled for March.