Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says Arsenal are not only a “fantastic” defensive unit, but also “ruthless” in attack as the two teams prepare to meet this weekend.Â
The Blues can close the gap between them and the Premier League leaders to just three points with a win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
While the Gunners are the prohibitive favourites to lift the trophy for the first time in 21 years, Chelsea will be striving to keep within touching distance in the table to keep alive hopes of a potential title tilt.
The west London outfit are coming into the encounter full of confidence after beating Barcelona 3-0 at home in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
“I said after the game it is another big game,” Maresca said in his pre-match press conference.
“We won against Barcelona, was a good feeling. If it is bigger than last one? I don’t know, they are all important games. For sure, beating Barcelona, or if we can beat Arsenal, it is a nice feeling but it is still three points the same.
“We will try our best to beat Arsenal and then we will see.”
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Asked what is setting the Gunners apart from the rest of the league right now, Maresca responded: “For sure they defend fantastic. Many teams against them struggle to score goals, even create chances.
“They defend very well. Then ruthless when attacking. At the moment they are top in Premier League and Champions League and we will try our best to win the game.”
Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice will come head-to-head in a battle of what many consider the two best midfielders in the Premier League right.
Asked if it will be the key battle on Sunday, Maresca said: “A big part, but not the only one. 11 v 11, and then [options] from the bench too. It is just one part of the big picture.”
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