Chelsea are set to face Arsenal in a huge game at the top of the Premier League this weekend
Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca is preparing for Chelsea's game against Arsenal(Image: Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Chelsea are preparing for a massive clash against Arsenal this weekend. The Blues are full of confidence after their statement 3-0 victory over Barcelona and are aiming for another huge home win against the Gunners.
Enzo Maresca’s side sit second in the Premier League table, six points behind leaders Arsenal. A win at Stamford Bridge would see Chelsea halve that gap and truly push themselves into the title race.
Chelsea have won five of their last six league games and will be aiming to end Arsenal’s 16-match unbeaten run. Mikel Arteta's side are also riding high after defeating Bayern Munich in midweek, adding to the excitement around Sunday's game.
Maresca gives Declan Rice verdict
One of the key battles in the match is expected to be between Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice in midfield. Rice was previously part of Chelsea’s youth academy but was released as a teenager, later joining West Ham United before being sold to Arsenal in 2023.
Asked whether Caicedo and Rice were the league’s two best midfielders, Maresca said: “I think the Premier League is full of good players, very good midfielders. As you said, Moises, Declan, Rodri from City, [Elliot] Anderson from Nottingham Forest, [Bruno] Guimaraes from Newcastle. I think the Premier League is full of very good midfielders.”
While there has been plenty of discourse around the potential duel between Rice and Caicedo, Maresca took a different view during his pre-match press conference. “It's a big part but it's not the only one,” Maresca said of their midfield battle.
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are set for a midfield battle this weekend
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“I think it's 11v11, the ones that go on from the bench. The big picture is not just one part of the picture. It's a big game, first versus second.”
Cucurella ‘hurt’ by Barcelona exit
Marc Cucurella would have savoured Chelsea’s triumph over Barcelona more than most, given his past ties to the Catalan club. The left-back came through the famed La Masia academy but made just one first team appearance before being sold to Getafe in 2020.
“Not being given the opportunity hurts a little,” Cucurealla told Sport when asked about his time at Barcelona. “I felt bad, but it helped me grow a lot.
Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella has spoken about his move away from Barcelona
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“Everything I’ve achieved so far, perhaps, if the decision had been different, I wouldn’t have achieved everything I have now.”
After his spell with Getafe, Cucurella joined Brighton and was subsequently snapped up by Chelsea in 2022. The 27-year-old has since won the Club World Cup and Europa Conference League, while also being a key player in the Spain side that clinched Euro 2024.
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