Chelsea chief rattled by doubts over Lampard’s future

Blues boss Villas-Boas declared he was fed up of answering questions about Lampard’s future, which has been the subject of speculation after he started three of the last four games on the bench and was substituted in the other.

That has provided further ammunition to those who claim Lampard’s powers are on the wane after the 33-year-old lost his place in the England side earlier this month.

The man who once set a Premier League record for consecutive outfield appearances has certainly been rested by Villas-Boas of late, either as part of a squad-rotation policy or in order to preserve his ageing legs for the bigger games.

In either case, that should mean he starts tonight’s Champions League Group E clash at Valencia but, should he not, speculation about his future will reach fever pitch. Yet, Villas-Boas – who refused to confirm whether the midfielder would be in his XI against Valencia tonight – insisted that would be completely unjustified.

In a pre-match press conference that veered from tension to levity, the Chelsea boss branded most questions about Lampard as “negative”, adding: “I think I’ve answered that question enough.”

Asked what he particularly took issue with, the Portuguese added: “The fact that these players are ‘changing’ and that they are ‘out’ and then they are ‘in’ and, ‘What is the problem with this player?’ and, ‘How is he going to react to a different situation?’

“I don’t see things like that.

“We all see things in the dressing room as team objectives and collective objectives, nothing else.”

Daniel Sturridge is expected to be fit after a knee injury, Ramires is available after missing the Blues’ opener against Bayer Leverkusen through suspension, but Romelu Lukaku is ineligible. Alex, Paulo Ferreira and Josh McEachran did not travel to Spain.

Arsenal will be without half-a-dozen first-team regulars for their Group F match at home to Olympiacos, including England forward Theo Walcott, Ivory Coast striker Gervinho and centre-back Laurent Koscielny who have all picked up minor niggles after Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League win over Bolton.

Wenger is not expecting an easy ride against the Greeks, where he will serve the final match of his touchline ban.

“You never win easy in the Champions League,” said Wenger. “When you give absolutely everything, you have a chance to win. If you do not prepare properly, then you have no chance.”

For Mikel Arteta, this season is his first taste of top-flight European action following his deadline-day switch from Everton and the 29-year-old Spanish midfielder is relishing the challenge.

He said: “It is hard to explain what it is about the Champions League, the atmosphere is different you are playing against the best teams in Europe every time.

“You are expected to win here, which is a really good thing.”