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

Frank Lampard reserved special praise for Noni Madueke after his first goal for the club on what was a disastrous night for Chelsea.

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

Madueke scored his first Chelsea goal against Arsenal

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

It was the only silver lining on a miserable evening for the Blues, who are now on an eight-match streak without a win.

Lampard, who has overseen six defeats in a row since taking over from Graham Potter, was keen to insist that Madueke was a positive on an otherwise torrid eveningg in north London.

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

“And if they don’t do it, they won’t start the game. People like Noni [Madueke] today, I thought he was great.

“Because he has been training like that all week, that is why he plays.

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Madueke scored Chelsea’s goal in a 3-1 loss

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It was Madueke’s first start since February

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

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

Martin Odegaard netted twice, almost the identical goal, before Gabriel Jesus made it three.

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

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Lampard has overseen six defeats in six

Alongside Sam Matterface, Groves said on commentary for talkSPORT: “This is an embarrassment, this is a complete embarrassment, that was like a five-a-side goal.

“They’re not putting any urgency in… I’m getting angry and it’s not even my team!”

Matterface added:  “Chelsea are being battered at Arsenal… this is a pathetic performance from Chelsea.”