Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed a surprise boost ahead of the Gunners' crucial clash against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium at the end of April. The north London outfit are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table heading into the final nine fixtures of the season, but still have difficult tests against Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and the Blues still to come.
Chelsea have endured a tough season with Todd Boehly taking the decision to sack both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter in the 2022/23 campaign. Frank Lampard looks set to make a sensational return to Stamford Bridge on an interim basis until the end of the season as the Blues continue their search for a new permanent manager to replace Potter.
Lampard has gone on record in the past and labelled Arteta as an 'amazing coach' with the Spaniard setting a great example to other young managers in the Premier League. The two coaches look set to face each other once again later this month with Arsenal fighting for their first Premier League title since 2004.
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Arteta will be boosted by the return of Lampard at Chelsea as the Gunners boss boasts a strong record against the Blues legend. The Spaniard has won three of his five matches against Lampard's teams, drawing one and losing one.
However, Arteta's record against teams managed by ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter is three wins, one draw and two losses. The Arsenal manager seemingly has Lampard's number when it comes to matches between the two coaches with Arteta's side outscoring Lampard's by 13 goals to seven - averaging 2.00 points per match against the 44-year-old.
This will come as a boost for Arteta as he leads the Gunners through their final nine fixtures of the Premier League title race against City. It could potentially give Arsenal the upper-hand in one of their more difficult games towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign and see them pick up a vital three points which could decide who wins the title.
Arteta has a less-positive record against City boss Pep Guardiola - winning just one game and losing seven against his former mentor - whilst his record against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side has seen him pick up four wins, suffering defeat on five occasions in 10 meetings.
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