Lampard hints at surprise start for outcast in Arsenal-Chelsea game

The Blues head to the Emirates on Tuesday hoping to break a five-game losing skid.

Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard could start Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang against former club Arsenal in Tuesday’s London derby.

The events that have unfolded since Aubameyang left Barcelona for the Premier League last summer have been a nightmare. His time at Chelsea has failed to live up to expectations. The striker only has three goals to his name in 20 appearances across all competitions. He hasn’t started a league game since November 6 against Arsenal.

Asked if Aubameyang might play against his old team again in a press conference, Lampard replied: “We’ll see, I’ve got Auba, Kai, David Fofana.

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

Could Auba’s Arsenal past earn him a start?

Aubameyang left Arsenal in January 2022 under a dark cloud. Manager Mikel Arteta stripped him of captaincy and removed him over disciplinary issues.

Asked if Auba’s Arsenal past might influence his line-up, Lampard added: “Possibly, because I think we all think sometimes a player going back to their old club gives them certain motivation.

“I haven’t delved into that too much with Auba himself. I’ll pick that position on feeling, my feeling of how they trained and what the team structure looks like.”