Without several key figures due to injury, illness and suspension, the Blues fell behind in the seventh minute when Ben White headed home from a corner. Arsenal doubled that advantage early into the second period when Viktor Gyokeres finished from close range.

The Blues responded when Alejandro Garnacho drilled home at the back post from a Pedro Neto cross and we were pushing hard for an equaliser when Martin Zubimendi struck a well-taken third for the visitors.

Yet Rosenior's side didn't wilt and, with seven minutes to play, Garnacho struck his and our second to bring to Blues well and truly back into the tie, the second leg of which takes place at the Emirates at hte start of February.

Rosenior's first XI

Eight changes were made to the starting XI, with Robert Sanchez, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro and Neto all returning to the side.

We were, however, without the suspended Moises Caicedo, the ill Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens, and the injured Malo Gusto, Reece James and Cole Palmer.

An early setback

Rosenior discussed the threat Arsenal posed from set pieces in his pre-match press conference, and, unfortunately, the Gunners opened the scoring from their first corner of the game. Just seven minutes were on the clock when Declan Rice swung the ball into the penalty area and White was able to head home.

The Blues went in search of a quick equaliser. Fernandez saw a placed effort from the edge of the box saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga before a powerful drive from Pedro Neto was well blocked.

Sanchez went largely untroubled for the remainder of the half, although Arsenal did have chances. Viktor Gyokeres dragged a shot harmlessly wide and Martín Zubimendi whistled an attempt over the crossbar.

Arsenal pressed aggressively across the pitch but when the Blues were able to find a route into the Gunners' final third, we threatened the visitors' goal.

Josh Acheampong stung the palms for Kepa, albeit before the assistant referee's flag was raised for offside, and a neat, patient passage of possession ended with Joao Pedro scuffing a shot wide after a cute pass from Fernandez that unlocked the Gunners' defence.

Estevao was next to test Kepa as he collected a pass from Fernandez, drifted beyond a challenge into the box and rifled the ball toward the near post that was pushed behind.

The closest Arsenal came to extending their advantage in the first half came late when William Saliba was given time to measure a shot from the edge of the area and whipped his effort onto the roof of the net. It proved to be the last meaningful effort of the opening 45 minutes.

A second blow

Rosenior opted against making changes at the break; those who started the game were trusted to continue pushing for an equaliser.

However, just four minutes into the second half, Arsenal doubled their advantage. A quick throw-in released Bukayo Saka, who waited for the overlap from White. He fired the ball low across the box, it evaded the grasp of Sanchez and Gyokeres was able to nudge the ball home from a couple of yards out.

Rosenior soon responded with a double change. Benoit Badiashile was introduced for Acheampong and Alejandro Garnacho replaced Marc Guiu. It had the desired impact as, just four minutes later, we pulled a goal back.

Fernandez showed great determination to battle through two challenges and the ball fell to Joao Pedro, who fed Neto out wide. The Portuguese winger crossed to the back post and the ball dropped to Garnacho, who chested it down and fired beyond Kepa.

The noise inside Stamford Bridge increased and those out in blue on the pitch responded. We pushed for a leveller and Estevao came close with a whipped attempt that Gabriel instinctively flicked wide of the far post.

Momentum was with the Blues but, following a double Arsenal change, the visitors grabbed a third goal as Zubimendi shimmied beyond two Chelsea defenders and fired the ball from 12 yards. Sanchez had no chance.

Rosenior's side attempted to rally once more and Estevao had a shot blocked well by Rice. At the other end, Sanchez produced an outstanding stop with his foot to deflect a shot wide from Mikel Merino. Gabriel then bounced a header over from the following corner.

Continuing to fight

With ten minutes remaining, our final changes were made as Tosin and Shim Mhueka were introduced for Cucurella and Joao Pedro. Jorrel Hato had been brought shortly before in place of Fofana.

Once more, a Blues goal soon followed. This time it came from a Chelsea corner as the ball was delivered by Neto and the ball fell to Garnacho, who expertly controlled his shot on the bounce and it nestled in the net.

In the time that remained, we pushed hard to level the tie. Estevao was denied by a save from Kepa before Tosin headed over from close range, although a foul was then given after Kepa tumbled under pressure.

Five minutes were added. Neither side appeared content with the scoreline. There was a burst from Estevao that was unduly halted by Gabriel, but no foul was given. Fernandez then guided an awkward header into the arms of Kepa.

The full-time whistle was blown soon after and, while not the result the Blues wanted, we remain firmly in the tie ahead of the second leg in north London.

What comes next...

We are back in action at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as we host Brentford in the Premier League. The second leg of our semi-final tie with the Gunners takes place on February 3.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Acheampong (Badiashile 53), Fofana (Hato 75), Chalobah, Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Fernandez (c); Estevao, Joao Pedro, Neto; Guiu (Garnacho 53)
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Tosin, Essugo, Buonanotte, George, Mheuka
Goalscorers: Garnacho 47, 83
Booked: Estevao 42, Cucurella 44, Badiashile 65, Neto 90

Arsenal: Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice (Havertz 82), Zubimendi, Saka, Odegaard (Merino 67), Trossard Martinelli 67); Gyokeres
Arsenal substitutes: Raya, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Eze, Madueke, Jesus
Goalscorers: White 7, Gyokeres 49, Zubimendi 71
Booked: Trossard 42, Kepa 75, Merino 78

Attendance: 39,243