Jamie Carragher says it was a really tough night for Chelsea’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on his return to Arsenal yesterday.
Chelsea suffered a 3-1 away defeat on Tuesday night when they made the short trip across London to face Arsenal.
The Blues fell apart in the opening 45 minutes, conceding goals from Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus in a very one-sided half.
Noni Madueke did score a consolation for Chelsea in a slightly improved second period. Afterwards, Frank Lampard did single out Madueke for individual praise after his performance on a very difficult evening in the Premier League.
This steep decline has now stretched to Chelsea losing six out of six since Lampard was appointed the interim manager. When will this nightmare for supporters end?
Sky Sports pundit Carragher did highlight Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for his overall contribution at the Emirates Stadium.
The 33-year-old centre-forward was handed a rare start against his former club, and most were pleased to see a recognised striker in the line-up.
However, he was substituted off at half-time by Lampard following a very quiet and ineffective 45 minutes on the pitch.
Speaking on the stroke of half-time, Carragher did suggests Aubameyang wasn’t quite at the races.
“There’s no doubt he’s not up to speed. Hasn’t played at all this season, really, so he is never going to be the Aubameyang we knew from his Arsenal days. It’s been a real tough night for him and a lot of Chelsea players,” Carragher told Sky Sports’ Main Event channel (8:43pm, 2 May).
Aubameyang, along with the rest of his Chelsea teammates, were so far off the pace as a collective against Arsenal.
There was a slight improvement in the second-half and some minor positives with the young wingers, but we’re in a real mess right now.
Aubameyang’s £10million signing (Sky Sports) from Barcelona last summer has completely backfired.
We find it hard to picture him playing again in a Chelsea shirt, but can the Blues sell him in the summer transfer window?