Chelsea icon's Liam Rosenior demand speaks volumes as meeting detailed

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Two-time Premier League winner William Gallas has urged Chelsea to give Liam Rosenior the same patience Arsenal gave to Mikel Arteta . Rosenior, 41, has started strongly at Stamford Bridge, winning seven of his first nine matches in charge.

While the only two blemishes on his record both came against Arteta's side, losing both legs of their League Cup semi-final clash , Rosenior can point to his 3-2 away victory over Napoli which booked Chelsea's place in the Champions League knockout stages. The former Brighton and Hove Albion defender next brings his side to the Midlands to face rock bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers in his next match.

Victory is a must for Rosenior, who currently has the west Londoners fifth in the table. But even if there is a bump in the road, Gallas urged his former side to be patient with the ex-Strasbourg boss.

Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football at bet365’s celebration of their UEFA Champions League Big Ticket Giveaway , Gallas said: "I think what is very important even now in football is to give time to the new manager, to build what he wants to build.

"That's why when we look, for example, at what happened to Arsenal with Arteta. He's been in charge of the club for five years now. It looks like they will be champions this season.

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"That shows you that managers now need time to build their team, to bring the players they want to compete for the Premier League and for the Champions League. A few years ago, maybe 10, 15 or 20 years ago, it was not like this, especially when you are the manager for the big club.

"After one, two years, if you don't have the results, you will not be the manager anymore. But now football has changed, players are different, new generation, so with that new generation you have to take more time.”

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Gallas' confidence is backed by several conversations he has had with Rosenior. The former French international, who also played for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur among others, had many interactions with Rosenior when the Englishman was coaching in France.

He also remembers some exchanges when they played with each other during their playing career. On their most recent conversation, Gallas said: "It was in London. We had a little conversation. And we have played against each other before as well. But it was a very short meeting."

Rosenior was not able to get the better of Arteta over their sides' two-legged battle in the League Cup. With Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and in the Champions League knockout stages after topping the table, it's easy to forget Rosenior has more management experience now than Arteta did when he was given the Arsenal job.

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When the Spaniard stepped into the Emirates Stadium at the end of 2019, his only coaching experience was while working as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City . Arsenal finished that campaign in eighth position and his first full campaign ended in the same position.

After a fifth placed finish and three consecutive second placed finishes, they are now in pole position to lift the Premier League. Meanwhile, Rosenior was given the job after managing Hull City and guiding Strasbourg into the Europa Conference League.

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