Chelsea winger Eden Hazard is hoping that Chelsea can reassert their Premiership title credentials when the Blues take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea are eager to respond to last weekend’s 1-0 loss against Aston Villa and will be looking to make Arsenal pay the price even if it will mean spoiling the party for Gunners manager Arsene Wenger who will be celebrating his 1,000th match in charge of the club.
Despite moving on to the last-eight of the Champions league following last night’s 2-0 win over Turkish side Galatasaray the Belgium international told Sky Sports for now it is beating Arsenal that matters.
“The Champions League and the Premier League are both magnificent competitions,” Hazard said.
“The Champions League is rare because you play less often but the Premier League is so important to us and we know how important it is for the fans too.
“The game against Arsenal comes at an important moment because it follows a league defeat.
“We are going to do our best in front of our own supporters in what is a big derby game. There is no better one to win.”
Hazard was praised by the press for his performance on Tuesday night in a match that saw former hero Didier Drogba return to face the club that he scored 157 goals for during 341 appearances.
“As I said to him after the game finished, it was a pleasure to play against him,” Hazard said.
“He is still one of the best strikers in the world. It is true that he is no longer young but that’s how we young players learn – by meeting people like him.
“I have nothing but respect for what he has done and what he is still doing. I admire Didier for the player he is and the type of person he is.”
Frank Lampard however insisted they still had a long way to go still while proclaiming Jose Mourinho as the world’s best manager.
“He’s the best manager in the world,” Lampard said.
“You can see the difference this year in the league and the Champions League. The team’s strong. He drives the team and he wants to win.
“It’s good, but we need to carry on. We haven’t won anything yet.”
