Liam Rosenior fumes at Declan Rice incident after Arsenal beat Chelsea

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.’

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.

‘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.