Chelsea boss Lampard expects tough fight against well-coached Arsenal

Lampard says that Arsenal have lots of threats in attacking areas and the manager feels that Arsenal are a good team with a good manager but they've had tough results lately.

Arsenal used to have the upper hand when he was playing but it's changed now, Lampard suggests.

"Playing a derby form goes out the window. It's a spur to get a result and we have to expect the best Arsenal. They are well-coached and have lots of threats in attacking areas," Frank Lampard told reporters.

"Don't want to talk about that [Arsenal's relegation battle]. They are a good team with a good manager [Mikel Arteta] but have had some tough results lately. They are a high-quality team. That's my only concern.

"[Back in my playing days] we had a real rivalry. Arsenal had the upper hand at the start but we changed the tide. I enjoy that side of it as long as it's carried out the right way. That rivalry remains but it's still about passion, that's what a derby brings."

Chelsea are set to face Arsenal on Boxing Day in a big London derby.

The Gunners have struggled so far this season as they currently sit in 15th spot with just 14 points from as many games.

However, as the boss points out, no derby game is very easy as both sets of players are always fired up for these encounters.