'Lampard is cooking!': Fans SHOCKED as Aubameyang returns to Chelsea line-up

Suraj Radia

2 May 2023 19:41 BST
4 min read

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Frank Lampard shocked Chelsea supporters by making a number of intriguing changes to his line-up, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang making a rare start away to his former club Arsenal.

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Chelsea are on a run of eight games in all competitions without a win, having scored just one goal in their last seven, prompting Lampard to hand Aubameyang his first start since January.

The Blues boss also brought in Noni Madueke for his first start since February, dropping Trevoh Chalobah and Conor Gallagher in order to go to a 4-3-3.

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With Chelsea’s season all but over as they sit in 12th place, Lampard seemingly took the opportunity to try and surprise Arsenal with a more attacking line-up and capitalise on their opponents’ uncomfortable form.

The Gunners have lost their grip on the Premier League title having failed to win in their last four games and Chelsea fans have been handed some rare excitement with Lampard’s attempt to take the game to Arsenal.

’I can’t believe my eyes, Chelsea are starting more than one forward!’

A vast number of Chelsea fans were simply hoping for Aubameyang to turn up and provide the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for Arsenal’s title hopes, with the striker having captained the Gunners before a dramatic exit from the club in 2021.

Aubameyang winner and then this celebration is all I'm praying for. pic.twitter.com/G431GfhcbG
— P (@ForeverBlue_07) May 2, 2023

It was not all positive for some fans though, who were disappointed to see big money signing Mykhaylo Mudryk benched for the third game in a row behind Madueke.

An improved team selection from Lampard. Great to see Madueke and Auba in there. This eleven can hurt other teams and that’s a start. Though again not seeing Mudryk starting is painful.
— ESCR Chelsea Podcast ⭐️⭐️ (@eatsleepchelsea) May 2, 2023

The Ukrainian international has struggled since his move to Chelsea in January and fans were hoping to see him in action against the team he almost joined, with some supporters believing Mudryk had a ‘chip on his shoulder’ and a ‘point to prove’.

However, the general consensus was that Lampard was ‘cooking’ with his line-up, with Manchester City fans also jumping on the Chelsea bandwagon in the hopes that Arsenal’s title hopes can be dented by dropping more points.