Lampard says Chelsea can take advantage of “wounded” Arsenal
The Blues are struggling after losing their last five games, but Frank Lampard thinks they can take control against Arsenal, who’s reeling from a City loss.
The race for the Premier League title is technically not over yet, though many said it would be decided by the Arsenal vs Manchester City game last week. City won, then beat Fulham on Super Sunday, thus taking over Arsenal’s spot atop the table and with a much higher chance of staying there than allowing Arsenal to take it back again. Arsenal could move back up if they beat Chelsea on Tuesday, but City would then be able to move right back up again if they win against West Ham the next day.
Arsenal in vulnerable position
Though the league title isn’t fully in their hands, Arsenal does have a lot to play for when they face Chelsea on Tuesday. Despite that, Chelsea’s interim manager Frank Lampard thinks they’ll be able to take advantage of a “wounded” Arsenal team. Chelsea has lost their last five games in a row in all competitions since Lampard returned to the club - their worst losing streak in 1993 when they went on a six-game losing run. They’ve lost 11 of their 26 league games since Thomas Tuchel was fired.
“I think [Arsenal] are very much in the hunt still to win the Premier League and are a fantastic team who have had a great season,” said Lampard. “If they were wounded slightly, that could give a big reaction. If we can make things difficult for them, then of course, that could feel different.”
Lampard also compared his Chelsea team to Arsenal, noting that a lot could be seen and learned from their series “All or Nothing: Arsenal” on Amazon.
“There is a long process to get to where you want to get to,” said Lampard. “I remember playing against Mikel’s teams in the early stages which were sometimes five at the back, sometimes four, sometimes they build with a four and defend with a five. Now they have a very, very clear identity, and they have a clear, through recruitment, change of squad.”
“Do we have the possibility to do that? Yes. Will it take a lot of time and good decisions along the way? Absolutely yes. You can get there. Those things have been a credit to Arsenal,” he said. “They’re a great example of that done well and part of the answer to why they are where they are now, alongside very good coaching and good players.”