Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is aware that new Gunners’ head coach Mikel Arteta will soon have to turn Arsenal’s fortunes around, even if his status as a popular former captain gives him an early advantage at North London.
Since replacing Unai Emery at the helm, Arteta will lead Arsenal out at the Emirates Stadium for the first time against fierce local rivals Chelsea this Sunday, having begun his tenure with a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth earlier this week.
The former Spain international played for the Gunners between 2011 and 2016 and most recently left his role as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City to replace Emery after his national compatriot got the sack earlier this month.
Lampard will be in the visiting dugout this weekend and the Englishman enjoyed a warm welcome at Stamford Bridge due to his status as a Chelsea great, yet he is learning that results must swiftly follow regardless of the past status.
In a press conference ahead of the game against Arsenal, the 41-year-old Chelsea head coach Lampard explained that the ‘honeymoon’ period that a manager goes through doesn’t last forever, “I certainly found that it helps with knowing some faces behind the scenes, knowing the values, what the standards are and what the wants are, I think that can help probably in the early stages. I think after that, it probably levels out and your work is your work. No, [the honeymoon period] doesn’t [last forever] and it shouldn’t. But I’m sure fans will have a feeling for Arteta and want him to do well is one of their own.”
Lampard had a year with Derby County last season and nearly guided the Rams to Premier League promotion but has done exceedingly well at Chelsea guiding the Blues to fourth on the Premier League table at the moment.
