Rice Respects Caicedo But Focused on London Derby at Stamford Bridge
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice says he is relishing the challenge of going up against Moisés Caicedo when the Gunners travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday for a highly anticipated Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Speaking ahead of the London derby, Rice praised the Ecuadorian for his quality and consistency, revealing that he even voted for the Chelsea midfielder in his PFA Team of the Year last season.
“I have a lot of respect for Moisés Caicedo,” Rice said. “I voted him in last year for my PFA Team of the Year. I thought he was outstanding, and he’s started this year incredibly well too.”
While fans and pundits have often drawn comparisons between the two high-profile midfielders, Rice was quick to clarify that their responsibilities on the pitch differ significantly.
“There are a lot of comparisons but we are playing different positions,” he explained. “He’s a full-blown 6 while I am more of a box-to-box number 8.”
Rice expects Sunday’s encounter to be both competitive and tactically intriguing, especially with the midfield battle set to shape the tempo of the match.
“It’s an exciting battle between us and it’s one that I’ll be ready for,” he added. “Sunday is going to be an interesting game, but the most important thing is the team. I have a lot of respect for him as a player, but our focus is on going to Stamford Bridge and getting the job done.”
Arsenal head into the clash looking to extend their lead at the top of the table, while Chelsea continue to push to close the gap on the league leaders. The Gunners have been very strong in defense, conceding just six goals in the league while the Blues are among the highest scoring sides in the league this season.
With Rice and Caicedo both central to their sides’ plans, the midfield duel promises to be one of the defining features of a London derby that rarely disappoints.