Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has played down suggestions that Sunday's clash against Arsenal will be decided by a midfield battle between Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice, insisting the game is about the collective effort of both sides.
Speaking ahead of the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge, Maresca was asked whether Caicedo and Rice are the league's two best midfielders. He replied: '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.'
When pressed further on the duel, Maresca added: 'It's a big part but it's not the only one. 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.'
Second-placed Chelsea trail leaders Arsenal by six points, and a win would halve the gap. The Blues have won five of their last six league matches, while Arsenal are unbeaten in 16. Chelsea's Marc Cucurella, meanwhile, reflected on his departure from Barcelona's academy, saying: 'Not being given the opportunity hurts a little. I felt bad, but it helped me grow a lot.' The left-back has since won the Club World Cup, Europa Conference League and Euro 2024 with Spain.
