Frank Lampard sends message to Chelsea players as he singles out Noni Madueke for praise after Arsenal goal

Frank Lampard has reserved particular praise for Noni Madueke after his first goal for the club on a disastrous night for Chelsea.

The 21-year-old was named in the starting line-up for the first time since February 18 when they lost 3-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

And the winger scored his first goal for Chelsea since his £29m move from PSV Eindhoven in January.

It was the only silver lining in a miserable night for the Blues, who are now on an eight-game losing streak.

Lampard, who has overseen six straight defeats since taking over from Graham Potter, was keen to insist Madueke tested positive on an otherwise scorching evening in north London.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “My job is to tell the players what needs to be done and the players need to do it.

“And if they don’t, they won’t start the game. People like Noni (Madueke) today, I thought he was great.

“Because he’s been training like this all week, that’s why he plays.

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AFP

“That’s the standard the top clubs have and those, if I’m honest, have slipped and they have to come back because without those daily habits, those desires and that push you can’t be what Chelsea have been in 20 years.”

Arsenal took a three-goal lead after 34 minutes in embarrassing circumstances for Chelsea.

Martin Odegaard scored twice, almost the same goal, before Gabriel Jesus scored three.

And speaking on talkSPORT, former Gunners star Perry Groves admitted he was getting angry – despite being an Arsenal fan.

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Alongside Sam Matterface, Groves said in a commentary for talkSPORT: “It’s an embarrassment, it’s a complete embarrassment, it was like a goal at five.

“They don’t put any urgency… I get mad and it’s not even my team!”

Matterface added: “Chelsea are beaten at Arsenal… it’s a pathetic performance from Chelsea.”

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