New signings, same story: Chelsea’s title challenge already over despite £220m upgrade

After three defeats in four the big-spending Blues have slipped down the Premier League table, and questions may now be asked of Frank Lampard

After putting a difficult week behind them with victory over West Ham last Saturday, Chelsea arrived at Arsenal with many expecting the Blues to ease past the struggling Gunners and pile even more pressure on Mikel Arteta.

But after the home side’s 3-1 Boxing Day victory at the Emirates Stadium, it is now Frank Lampard who is facing increasing scrutiny, with Chelsea’s title challenge in real danger of ending before it even had chance to get going.

Defeat to Arsenal is never accepted by Chelsea supporters, but the manner of the loss against a team who kicked off in 15th, had not won a league game since November 1 and had three players pull out late for illness-related reasons will have been the most frustrating.