Yossi Benayoun vows to fight for Chelsea spot on return from Arsenal

Yossi Benayoun insists he will fight for a regular spot in Roberto Di Matteo’s first-team at Chelsea after returning from a loan spell at London rivals Arsenal.

The 32-year-old scored six goals in 25 appearances for Arsene Wenger’s men as the Gunners sealed a third-place finish in the league ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Israeli is now back in pre-season training with Chelsea and insists he will work hard to prove himself worthy of a place in Di Matteo’s plans for the forthcoming season.

“Now I am back at Chelsea for pre-season, the hard part of football, and I’m trying to do my best in front of Robbie [Di Matteo], so we will just have to see what happens in the future,” Benayoun told Chelsea’s website.

“A lot has happened since I was last here. Unfortunately it didn’t work out with Andre Villas-Boas, results weren’t good enough but Robbie took the team, and we won the FA Cup and Champions League. I kept in touch and it was just great to see the club winning these trophies.

“I was at home for the Champions League Final, as the next day I was joining up with the national team. It was amazing to watch and enjoy.

“When you thought Bayern would win it, suddenly Didier Drogba was there like always to score an important goal and of course I was so happy for the club, the players and the owner. Hopefully this season the club will win a few trophies again.”