Rosenior admires Arteta ahead of the London derby in EFL Cup semi-finals

The managerial beginnings of Mikel Arteta and Liam Rosenior weren't too different. The Spaniard obviously had a better playing career, but had almost no coaching experience when he sat on the Gunners' bench in 2019 as a 37-year-old. In fact, it was his first job as a head coach, having previously served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City.

As for Rosenior, he's a bit older than Arteta was six and a half years ago (41) and has a more extensive coaching background, as he led Derby County, Hull City, and Strasbourg, with which he achieved some exceptional results.

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Put everything mentioned aside, and you'll see their initial positions are pretty much the same. Mikel had to build something worthwhile at Emirates from scratch, as the club has been struggling. And even though Chelsea's situation in terms of winning trophies hasn't been as dramatic as Arsenal's, their new manager will also have to start building things from square one.

That's why this parallel between the two of them has been quite intriguing ahead of their first-ever clash in the dugouts in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals tonight (23.00).

If you ask Rosenior, the only thing he needs is time. That's why he admires Arteta - who got a proper chance and the management's trust - and his six and a half years with the Gunners.

"Yeah, I'd love to be here for six years and longer. But I'm aware that in order for that to happen, I need to win. It's as simple as that."

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"I've got ideas about what I want the team to look like in a year, two years, three years, but I've got enough resources and enough tools with me now to win and I've made that clear to the players."

"Mikel is someone who has done an incredible job. He's had time to build the way he wants the team to look. They're very well organised," Rosenior said in a pre-match press conference via Daily Mail.

As for Arteta, he admitted he hoped his crew learned from last season's EFL Cup campaign, when Arsenal were easily knocked out by Newcastle, 4-0 on aggregate.

"Football gives you another chance. We have been really consistent again in the competition and no we have to knock another big team out to be in the final. That's the mission.

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"Hopefully, we learn from last year because it was painful, especially the manner in which the games went and the amount of chances we missed. Hopefully, this year we are better and more efficient," the Spaniard stated via Sky Sports.

After everything that happened at Chelsea, the Gunners have a slight edge. However, don't forget that just a month and a half ago, the Blues salvaged a draw despite playing with a man down for almost an hour. Even with the new boss, they mustn't be underestimated.

CARABAO CUP SEMI-FINALS

Tuesday

Newcastle - Manchester City 0-2 (0-0)

/Semenyo 53, Cherki 90+8/

Wednesday

23.00: (3.20) Chelsea (3.40) Arsenal (2.25)

***odds are subject to change***