Blues players 'are old enough to know better' - Suttonpublished at 07:46 GMT 3 March
07:46 GMT 3 March
Media caption,
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Chelsea need to address their ill-discipline "collectively" because it is hindering them this season in their push for a top-four finish.
Chelsea have received seven red cards from 28 games in the 2025-26 season, with winger Pedro Neto the latest to see red in a 2-1 defeat by league leaders Arsenal.
The Blues are seeing red an average of once every four games, and if that run continues they might match or break the current record.
"Neto is not 18 or 19 years old where you can maybe excuse it as youthful exuberance," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "He is 25 years old.
"His second challenge was just idiotic, especially such a short time after the first - he'd literally just been booked.
"Collectively, it is a problem because they don't want to be in that position, so you should assume it is something they have discussed. It's also not like it's difficult to get to the bottom of."
In addition to Neto, Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Moises Caicedo, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella have all been given their marching orders by referees this campaign.
"They [all the red cards so far this season by players] are all different but you can't excuse Neto's sending off and because of it they are shooting themselves in the foot," Sutton added.
"It's not helping Liam Rosenior and their top-four aims. He talks about accountability and that is a young, inexperienced squad - but they are old enough to know better."
Rosenior on Palmer's fitness, 'need' to improve discipline and Villapublished at 14:34 GMT 2 March
14:34 GMT 2 March
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Rosenior said Cole Palmer "took a knock" in Sunday's defeat to Arsenal but "is looking really good" and is "absolutely fine" to start on Wednesday.
Marc Cucurella is "looking really good" and will "hopefully" be fit to face Wrexham on Saturday if he does not return against Villa, while Estevao Willian is "back on the pitch running, which is great".
Reflecting on Pedro Neto's red card at Emirates Stadium, Rosenior said: "You need team-mates to help, but it comes down to yourself. Pedro [Neto] has apologised to the group. I need to see an improvement in the behaviour now - it's not just Pedro. We've had bookings for needless dissent and fouls. If we're to improve and get to where we want to be, we have to make a conscious step now to make sure it doesn't happen again."
More on the Blues' disciplinary issues: "It needs to improve. My job is to create a culture of accountability where if you make a mistake it's OK, but you have to hold your hand up and not do it again. You pick players who are showing improvement. I can't go through the season with a red card every two to three games."
However, he defended Enzo Fernandez's yellow card record: "Enzo [Fernandez] is a top leader. This is something that needs to improve [across the board - discipline]. Sometimes you need to go through experiences to improve."
Reflecting on defeat by the Gunners, Rosenior said: "I don't think anyone can say in the moment, other than the two set-pieces, the team did not function well. We lost the game because we didn't take care of the moments. Disappointment and a missed opportunity. They are the two main things. Not just the game yesterday, but the past three games. The performances - tactically, technically - very good, but in the moments that have mattered, we have not taken advantage."
On the concession of two goals from corners: "It's a key thing we have to improve. I've taken more responsibility in the past week, as I know it is something that has to improve."
Rosenior said there "needs to be a review at the end of the season" regarding the way teams are affecting goalkeepers from set-pieces.
On Villa: "They have great attacking players. Our players know each strength of each individual we are up against. They are clinical. They are a good team. It's going to be tough."
Tim: Pragmatic if not thrilling. Arsenal seem to be coping better with run-in pressure than in previous seasons. Once chewed up fingers recover I can be grateful for three points in an edgy contest that could have gone either way. C'mon you Gooners!
Nick: Arsenal don't get enough credit for how good they are. So many games pundits and company talk about us being dominated and not being the best team. If Timber doesn't score when he does we dominate the rest of the game on the hunt for a goal - with an occasional counter threat. It's all about timing and we've showed when drawing or a goal down how we can ramp it up. We go a goal up and of course that changes the way the game goes.. it's how they roll. When they win the quadruple let's see the reaction. We might about to see the beginning of a dynasty with all the gunners stars coming into their prime. Look out..
Dug: Same old Arsenal ,always doing things the hard way! Got there in the end though, still in our hands. We have to remember that winning the league isn't easy and there will be a lot more nervy moments but there is one thing they can do to make things less nervy and that is to cut out stupid little mistakes that seem to be creeping in. Come on Gunners, be calm, let's do this!
Gerry: Frustrating because Arsenal have so much quality and talent and were man for man better than Chelsea apart from the corner. Really Arsenal should have been out of sight. The issue is mentality. Nothing more nothing less. They can win a lot this season if they sort out their own heads.
Chelsea fans
Stephen: Chelsea are maddeningly inconsistent and the sending offs are hurting. Defence does not seem strong enough when pressed. Not convinced that we will finish in top four!
Scott: A Chelsea red card - what a surprise...this team is so ill-disciplined. Now in 6th place and that's where we'll finish. Expecting Rosenior to move this team forward quickly is nothing short of ridiculous with an average defence and a Championship level goalkeeper.
Rob: Immature, unprofessional, unmotivated - this American experiment is as incompetent as it is arrogant - the financial situation is getting scary and our chances of generating revenue from competitions or stadium capacity increase are receding fast.
Andy: If the goalkeepers had swapped sides Chesea would have won the match. Sanchez at fault for both Arsenal goals, spending too much attention on opposition players in the box instead of focusing on the ball. Kicking poor overall. For all the good things Chelsea did throughout the game they were undone by a goalkeeper that doesnt command the box. Dissent also a factor, Neto yellow for dissent was warranted. Chelsea need to stamp out the petulance, its costing us.
Chelsea are struggling to compete with the bestpublished at 12:13 GMT 2 March
12:13 GMT 2 March
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Many hardcore Chelsea supporters may be most frustrated at missing the chance to dent Arsenal's title challenge, but a wider issue will be of greater concern internally at Stamford Bridge.
This London rivalry has been fiercely contested throughout the Premier League era, initially dominated by Arsenal before Roman Abramovich's arrival shifted momentum towards west London.
In 2026, however, Arsenal can claim to be firmly in control, having gone nine matches unbeaten against the Blues.
Not since Thomas Tuchel's time in charge have Chelsea taken three points off the Gunners, with only Reece James still at the club from the squad that last won the derby.
Of course, it represents only two fixtures in a 38‑game league campaign, but Chelsea have failed to beat either Arsenal or Manchester City in 23 matches since BlueCo - the consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital - bought the club.
Chelsea's record against the rest of the traditional 'big six' has also been poor during that period, and they now face a difficult run‑in.
There will be concern that Champions League qualification is slipping away, with Chelsea sixth in the Premier League and now six points behind top‑four rivals Manchester United and Villa.
'There's a problem in that dressing room'published at 11:01 GMT 2 March
11:01 GMT 2 March
Image source, Getty Images
Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison reacting to Chelsea's ninth red card of the season and an ongoing discipline issue on the latest episode of Football Daily: "There's nothing a manager can do in training. It's so difficult to solve. It's players, they have experienced players. It's ill-discipline. He's an international. He should know better to not leave his team down to 10 against one of the best teams."
Journalist Luke Edwards replied: "It's not an isolated incident. There's a problem in that dressing room. Neto has a stupid booking for dissent, you know you have it, then don't scissor-kick someone on the touchline. Then the audacity to complain about it. Just shut up and get off the pitch."
Huge moment for Chelsea at Aston Villapublished at 08:56 GMT 2 March
08:56 GMT 2 March
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior is back in front of the media with another match coming quickly after their defeat at Arsenal.
Monday's news conference, due to take place at 13:30 GMT, comes two days before a crucial trip to Aston Villa, with both clubs competing for a place in next season's Champions League.
Rosenior prefers to hold his media duties two days before matches rather than the more common approach of doing them the day before.
However, facing journalists less than 24 hours after a high‑profile defeat can be awkward, so it will be interesting to see how he reflects on Sunday's performance at Emirates Stadium after reviewing the game in more detail.
Looking forward, the pressure is building, with Chelsea known to be targeting qualification for the Champions League but now down in sixth in the Premier League table.
Come back to this page later on Monday for all the key lines from Rosenior.
How bad are Chelsea's disciplinary problems?published at 08:16 GMT 2 March
08:16 GMT 2 March
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea have received nine dismissals this season, although former manager Enzo Maresca, who was sent off for over‑celebrating a last‑minute winner against Liverpool, does not count in that total.
They are one short of equalling the joint record of eight different players sent off in a season, held by Sunderland. They are two away from matching the Premier League record for the most red cards in a campaign.
This is far from a new issue.
Chelsea, bottom of the Premier League 'Fair Play' table, finished second‑bottom last season under Maresca and bottom the year before under Mauricio Pochettino.
Maresca initially played down concerns before later launching his own review of the team's indiscipline prior to his departure. Liam Rosenior, meanwhile, believed he had tightened up Chelsea's disciplinary problems – only to see red cards return in consecutive matches.
"I have respect for the previous manager Enzo [Maresca]. I don't speak about what happened before but it is starting to happen with me," Rosenior said.
"That's something I felt we had addressed. We went 10 games without a red card, now [we have had] two in two games and that's a problem we need to solve."
Why are Chelsea getting so many players sent off?
One possible factor, which is played down internally in west London, is that they have the youngest squad in the Premier League and lack natural leaders.
Former England defender Matthew Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It is costing them. I don't think it is something you can address at this point - you're in March.
"It is something that is said in pre‑season. It is cultural and you build it into the club. The players buy into it and they police it. It is about being measured and controlled at the right moment.
"Again, they are young as well. The younger you are, the more susceptible you are to those situations."
One of the leaders tasked with helping halt Chelsea's disciplinary slide, Reece James, told Sky Sports: "Every time it's someone different, not the same player. Internally we need to review and keep improving. It's a problem.
"We are playing in the toughest league in the world - 11 v 11 is tough, 11 v 10 is even harder, no matter who you are playing."
'The players must do it themselves' - a fan's view on discipline issuespublished at 07:35 GMT 2 March
07:35 GMT 2 March
Ross Mooring Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
The stats do not lie when it comes to discipline - Chelsea are bottom of the 'Fair Play' table in the Premier League, continuing an unwanted trend over the past three years.
This season especially it has cost the team enough points to put Champions League qualification in jeopardy with six sides vying for potentially five places.
Much of the blame is being placed on the team's average age, but the majority of the squad has multiple years of Premier League experience under their belt, suggesting the issue tends towards a certain rashness or petulance among players.
Conceding red cards from slightly misjudged tackles, tactical fouls, or just harsh refereeing decisions is one thing.]
However, the atmosphere on the pitch is also clouded by dissent towards officials - see the many charges brought against the club by the FA for failing to control players - as well as players needlessly getting involved in altercations with opponents while simple mental errors, especially in defence, are also commonplace.
Of course, this could be improved by having better leadership. The issue on-field is that most of the clear first-choice players are relatively quieter figures who lead by sheer talent, while off it, former manager Enzo Maresca publicly de-emphasised its importance just days before getting sent off himself at the climax of October's win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
It is too soon to tell if the tone will change under Liam Rosenior, who astutely demanded accountability from his players following last weekend's draw with Burnley.
But, with the club's recruitment strategy focused on youth, the likelihood of signing an established captain-type figure who just slots into the first-choice XI seems slim.
Simply put, the players must do it themselves.
This was originally published before Chelsea's game against Arsenal
Gossip: Chelsea eye Nunez movepublished at 06:48 GMT 2 March
06:48 GMT 2 March
Chelsea have emerged as potential rivals to Newcastle United for 26-year-old Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, who has been frozen out at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. (Chronicle Live), external
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: What Rosenior saidpublished at 19:27 GMT 1 March
19:27 GMT 1 March
Media caption,
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Frustrated with the end result. A lot of good things in our game but we were undone by two set pieces like we were against Burnley last week.
On good performances: "There were some outstanding performance. Technically and tactically but we were undone by moments. Same as against Burnley and against Leeds."
On the red cards his team have received: "I have respect for the previous manager Enzo [Maresca]. I don't speak about what happened before but it is starting to happen with me. That's something I felt we had addressed, we went 10 games without a red card, now two in two games and that's a problem we need to solve and the set play issue is something we need to keep working on."
On Pedro Neto getting booked for dissent and then making a tackle shortly after: "Probably not to be honest,it's very simple. It's something that we need to address, not just Pedro but as a team to make sure we have 11 men on the pitch."
On pushing the league leaders: "I don't want to push the league leaders very hard. We're Chelsea, we want to win games of football. Between both boxes, we were very, very good. I felt we were the better team by far in the second half but we weren't ruthless in the moment. Their goalkeeper makes very good saves and at the other end we concede two goals from corners."
Did you know?
Only Sunderland in 2009-10 (8) and Leicester City in 1994-95 (8) have had more different players receive a red card in a Premier League season than Chelsea in 2025-26, with Pedro Neto today being their seventh.
Arsenal v Chelsea: Team newspublished at 15:28 GMT 1 March
15:28 GMT 1 March
Mikel Arteta sticks with the side that won 4-1 against rivals Tottenham last week. There's a boost on the bench for the Gunners too as Kai Havertz comes back into the matchday squad after injury.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres
Liam Rosenior makes two changes to the side that drew with Burnley. Jorrel Hato and Mamadou Sarr come in for Malo Gusto and the suspended Wesley Fofana.
Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Sarr, Hato, Santos, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Pedro
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Chelsea", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Arsenal v Chelseapublished at 10:16 GMT 1 March
10:16 GMT 1 March
Arsenal have got to be careful they don't warm up in the Chelsea half again, for starters. If I was playing in this game, I'd do it deliberately!
In terms of the game, I can't see anything other than a Gunners win.
Chelsea can cause Arsenal a few problems because they have got players who can hurt anyone but, at the other end, I don't see Liam Rosenior's side keeping a clean sheet.
I liked the way Arsenal responded to their setback against Wolves by battering Spurs. Chelsea don't like them much either, but this is going to end up with the same result.
Arsenal v Chelsea: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:00 GMT 28 February
13:00 GMT 28 February
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Premier League leaders Arsenal take on a Chelsea side who have not beaten them since August 2021. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (16:30 GMT).
More capital gains for Gunners?
After losing ground in the title race with back-to-back draws, Arsenal regained momentum by beating Tottenham 4-1 last weekend – their biggest victory away to their north London rivals since 1978.
The win extended their excellent run of results in derby matches. The Gunners have lost just one of their previous 25 Premier League matches against sides from the capital, and it is a similar story when facing Chelsea.
Arsenal have been beaten in only one of their past 15 meetings with the Blues in all competitions and have won seven and lost none of the 10 most recent encounters.
Mikel Arteta's side now have 10 games left as they look to secure a first league title since 2004. Sunday's fixture is one of just two against sides currently in the top six, along with a potentially decisive trip to second-placed Manchester City on 18 April.
Arteta has a full week to prepare his side for this match, a rare luxury in an increasingly congested calendar. The last time the Gunners had no midweek action was in mid-December.
Familiar failings again costly for Chelsea
Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Burnley followed a frustratingly familiar script for the west London side.
Having surrendered a two-goal lead in the draw with Leeds earlier this month, the Blues again faltered versus newly promoted opposition, conceding an injury-time equaliser from Burnley's Zian Flemming.
They have already dropped 19 points from winning positions this season - the second-highest figure in the top flight prior to the latest round of matches.
Another costly habit has been losing players to red cards at key moments. Chelsea did not allow Burnley a shot on target while they had 11 men on the pitch but understandably looked more vulnerable once Wesley Fofana was sent off in the 72nd minute.
The Frenchman became the eighth Chelsea player to be dismissed this season in all competitions, comfortably the highest total of any Premier League club.
And while Fofana's red was the first since Liam Rosenior's appointment last month, the Blues will need to tread carefully against Arsenal, having had Moises Caicedo sent off in November's 1-1 draw between the sides.
'Iron fists' and 'velvet gloves' - five times Chelsea ruined my childhoodpublished at 12:01 GMT 28 February
12:01 GMT 28 February
Scarlet Katz Roberts Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Arsenal's record against Chelsea lately is nothing short of dominance. Last weekend we confirmed that North London is still red. It would be nice to rubber stamp the rest of the city this weekend with a win against the Blues.
But it wasn't always that way… In fact, it used to be horrible. Back in the early to mid 2000s, we were routinely walloped by Chelsea's wise veterans.
That's what makes putting this young Chelsea team to the sword and beating them, rubbing their noses in their optimism, all the more important for an Arsenal team potentially on the verge of emulating their success. I don't just want to beat Chelsea, I want to patronise them, because of all the times they made me feel stupid for even hoping. So here they are, five times Chelsea ruined my childhood in chronological order.
1. League Cup Final 2007: 2-1 defeat
Jon Champion described it as the "velvet glove of Arsenal's sophisticated youth against the iron fist of Chelsea's relentless power". Theo Walcott, barely out of the crib, put Arsenal one up inside 15 minutes. I remember sitting in the car, listening on the radio, hearing men against boys twisted around to flatter Arsenal's youthful line-up.
Everything seemed to be going so well until the inevitable Didier Drogba delivered an equaliser that was probably offside. It all went downhill from there. Michael Essien somehow escaped a red card after kicking Julio Baptista in the chest, and then a second yellow after cutting Denilson down on the break. In the 84th minute it was Drogba, the spectre of my nightmares for years to come, who rose above Senderos to head Chelsea in front. I heard Arsenal ended that game with nine men. I wouldn't know - I'd asked my parents to turn the radio off.
Image source, Getty Images
2. Ruined my first trip to Wembley: 2009 FA cup semi final: 2-1 defeat
Obviously it wasn't a final, so this isn't as bad as the first time. But it was Theo Walcott who put us ahead again in a cruel echo of the last time we met Chelsea in the late stages of a cup competition. Malouda equalised before guess who (Didier Drogba) scored an 84th minute winner to send me home from my first trip to Wembley with a defeat.
3. Drogba again: 2009: 3-0 defeat at home
Arsenal didn't really put up a fight in this game, which is why I remember very little. What I can't forget is Drogba slamming an Ashley Cole cross in off the underside of the bar, before booting a free kick in for 3-0. Humiliation. Turn off the TV.
4. Wenger's 1,000th game: 2014: 6-0 at The Bridge
I had the good fortune of attending this game and sitting in the home end with the Chelsea fans. They couldn't understand why I wasn't jubilant when Mourinho followed up his 'specialist in failure' jibe with a 6-0 drubbing famous for its case of mistaken identity, when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made a diving save from Eden Hazard on the line. But instead of him being sent off, it was Kieran Gibbs who walked for Arsenal. We also handed the great Mo Salah his first Premier League goal for 6-0.
Image source, Getty Images
5. Eden Hazard: 2016 3-1 at the Bridge
It was February 2016 and Arsenal's title hopes were dwindling. We'd actually managed to beat Chelsea at home that season, so I had cautious hope. But that didn't stop Eden Hazard from turning Francis Coquelin into a human fidget spinner, somehow beating Laurent Koscielny twice in the same move, before scoring past Petr Cech for 2-0. To cap things off, Chelsea got their third thanks to none other than former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas. We did get them back that year, beating them 2-1 in the FA cup final!
Honourable mentions must go to Baku, Alex's freekick and Michael Essien's wonderstrike. On Sunday it will be Arsenal's 'iron fist' against Chelsea's 'velvet glove'. History tells us that the 'iron fist' usually prevails. I hope we win.
Chelsea face difficult Champions League runpublished at 18:10 GMT 27 February
18:10 GMT 27 February
Nizaar Kinsella Chelsea reporter at Cobham Training Centre
Image source, Getty Images
Chelsea's draw to face Paris St‑Germain in the last 16 – and their potential subsequent run – is a daunting prospect.
Before the draw, it was simply a question of whether Liam Rosenior's side would face either PSG or Newcastle, with an all‑English tie avoided.
A rematch of this summer's Club World Cup final – and another meeting with the European champions – was pulled out of the hat, opposition Rosenior had already encountered while managing his former club Strasbourg.
PSG, though, are not the force they were at this stage last season.
They struggled to beat domestic rivals Monaco despite their opponents going down to 10 men in both matches in the play‑off round. In addition, PSG's form in all competitions has been patchy since the winter break, including a shock exit to Paris FC in the last 32 of the French Cup.
The draw, at least, avoids the flat prospect of Chelsea playing Newcastle three times in a row, as the Champions League ties would have been sandwiched between a league meeting on 14 March.
It will be interesting to see what Rosenior makes of the draw, ahead of what Opta data suggests is the toughest set of fixtures in their final 11 Premier League matches.
There is also a demanding Champions League pathway mapped out for Chelsea, who could meet Liverpool in the quarter‑finals and then either Manchester City or Real Madrid in a potential semi‑final on the road to the final in Budapest.
