Arsenal face Chelsea in Sunday’s much-awaited Premier League derby at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners are six points ahead of the Blues at the top of the table. They are unbeaten in the last seven meetings versus the Blues, but face a sterner challenge this weekend.
Ahead of the game, there has been much talk about Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, and how the duo could be crucial to the outcome of the upcoming clash in west London.
However, Chelsea manager Maresca has highlighted that they are playing in different positions this campaign.
Speaking on Rice, the Italian tactician said that he is operating higher up the field like Enzo Fernandez.
Maresca believes the England international has evolved under manager Mikel Arteta, and he is a ‘complete player’ now.
He said via Standard Sport: “He’s not playing as a holding midfielder. He’s playing forward, he’s playing, like Enzo Fernandez. It’s a different position [from Caicedo’s].
“It’s evolution for him and it’s Mikel [Arteta]’s work. He is a fantastic player, and he’s a complete player. He can defend, he can attack, he can do anything.”
Rice has had a phenomenal start to the 2025/26 campaign with the Gunners. He has scored two goals and provided six assists from 19 games across all competitions.
Aside from his goal involvements, he has completed 90 percent of his passes with four recoveries, two tackles and two clearances per appearance.
Rice has won almost 60 percent of his duels. The Englishman has been brilliant on both ends of the pitch and has formed a fine midfield partnership with Martin Zubimendi.
Zubimendi has to be credited for giving Rice more freedom this season. The Spanish star has been brilliant with his positioning in the number six role most of the time.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 16 matches across all competitions. A win over the Blues at Stamford Bridge would be another big statement in their league title pursuit.
The Gunners have not lost at the stadium since 2018, but the last two encounters have ended in draws.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com