Ex-Chelsea man Frank Lampard is fearful of Arsenal ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final as Atletico’s Diego Costa is back.
Costa limped out of Atleti’s quarter-final defeat against Sporting Lisbon and there were serious doubts that he player won’t be fit for both games against Gunners because of hamstring injury.
However, Costa now is back to fitness and set to start against Arsenal thata’s why Lampard insists that Arsenal’s job has now become harder and they should spend much efforts to succeed.
"Arsenal’s task of beating Atletico Madrid was already tough, but it’s a lot harder with Diego Costa now up against them," the ex-Chelsea man told reporters.
"Costa is exactly the kind of personality missing from Arsenal’s dressing room, someone with that winning mentality.
"The English game has missed him this season after he rejoined Atletico from Chelsea. He is a big player, a big character. Love him or hate him, you have to appreciate that kind of player.
"Chelsea have certainly not looked the same without Costa. Not only is he a big physical presence, he has great quality to score goals.
"Of course they’re still very much in it at 1-1. But they failed to defend properly against Antoine Griezmann for Atletico’s goal in the first match and now Costa, who was an unused substitute after just coming back from injury, will face them too.
"We know that Arsenal defenders don’t like being manhandled or strong-armed and Costa is a master at that. He has played well against them before in a Chelsea shirt.
"Arsenal dropped the ball when Costa wasn’t on the pitch last week. They were also gifted a chance against 10 men in the first leg, with Sime Vrsaljko’s red card in the 10th minute.