Chelsea boss Frank Lampard refused to "comment on individuals" when requested a query about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's dire return to Arsenal on Tuesday evening. Aubameyang was a shock starter, returning to the beginning line-up for the primary time for the reason that World Cup, however was withdrawn at half-time.

The ex-Gunners captain had simply 9 touches within the first 45 minutes and 4 of these had been from kick-offs. And the Gabon worldwide was changed by Kai Havertz after his Emirates no-show because the Blues went on to lose 3-1 in north London due to a first-half brace from Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus' objective.

But the interim Chelsea supervisor refused to speak concerning the show of Aubameyang, who additionally struggled for minutes below Graham Potter earlier than he was sacked. Asked if his efficiency confirmed a participant who hasn't performed sufficient this time period, Lampard advised Sky Sports post-match: "I'm not going to comment on individuals in the game. I'll talk about a collective and it's the performance.

"I perceive what you mentioned that Chelsea followers will discuss concerning the gamers not caring. I do not consider that. They're lads that wish to do properly for this membership. But they've to know what which means and what that entails every single day, from coaching every single day for a recreation, the way you put together, the way you keep your self.

"Those standards are clear. It's a collective. If I'm going to talk about an individual, I'll maybe talk about Noni who scores the goal and who came in and played like he's been training. That's a good example. He'll get more opportunities."

This was Aubameyang's first begin since November sixth, which additionally got here towards Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Gabriel Magalhaes scored the one objective of that match on one other evening when Aubameyang was taken off early, that point after 64 minutes as a result of one other nameless show.

The 33-year-old's time at Chelsea has been an unmitigated catastrophe regardless that he joined for lower than £10million. He has racked up a mere 960 minutes - the equal of 10-and-a-half full matches - throughout 21 appearances, returning solely three objectives and one help. He was additionally unnoticed of the Champions League squad solely by Potter for the knockout rounds.

Lampard had mentioned pre-match of the choice to begin the striker: "I think we all know Auba coming in fresh for us in the last few weeks has been - he hasn't played so much as a number nine which is the main position that you need to have that sharpness in match days. He's shown a little bit of that against Brentford, and he's a reference, he's got a history of scoring goals, may be motivation for him to play here."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had additionally urged earlier than kick-off for supporters to thank their former centre-forward in addition to to "pay respect" and present "gratitude for what he was", which he added was "an incredible player" for the north London membership. The announcement of his half-time substitution was greeted with big cheers in the beginning of the second half.

Chelsea fell to a sixth successive defeat on Tuesday evening with Lampard having but to even earn a draw since returning to the membership as caretaker supervisor. They are 39 factors behind Arsenal who moved again to the summit of the desk with their 3-1 victory.