“Fit and ready”- Lampard hints at handing rare league start to out-of-form Chelsea star vs Arsenal

Frank Lampard hints at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang start for Chelsea vs Arsenal

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang didn’t please Arsenal fans when he left Barcelona to join Chelsea last summer. The 33-year-old saw some playing time under Graham Potter.

But he has been ousted from first-team action in 2023, particularly being left out of the club’s UEFA Champions League squad for the knockout rounds. He has been handed two appearances in our last three league games under interim manager Frank Lampard.

And the Englishman has hinted that the Gabon international could be handed just his fifth league start this season when the Blues play Arsenal on May 2 at the Emirates.

He said at his pre-match press conference, via Metro:

“I’m obviously not going to divulge the team right here but he’s fit and ready.”

A smart call?

He was asked if Aubameyang’s history with Arsenal could be a factor behind his decision, and the former Everton and Derby County manager responded:

“Possibly, because I think we all think sometimes a player going back to their old club gives them certain motivation

He started the game and played 64 minutes when we lost to Arsenal in the Premier League by 1-0 in November 2022. But Lampard is right.

There is always an extra motivation whenever a player is playing against his former club. The former Borussia Dortmund forward is not in form. He has scored just thrice in 21 games this season. But the season is already gone and we honestly have nothing to lose.

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There are certain games and certain moments that can whitewash a sub-average season (just ask Kai Havertz after his Champions League-winning goal). Aubameyang will know that this game, where Chelsea can put the final nail in Arsenal’s coffin in the title race, is one of them.