“I have faced Vinicius Jr many times but this Arsenal player did something I’ve never seen in my whole career”: Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has named ONE Arsenal player as the most difficult opponent he has ever faced in his career
Chelsea full back Marc Cucurella shared some surprising comments about Arsenal star Bukayo Saka following the two teams’ 1-1 draw in the Premier League on November 10.
The Spaniard voiced his respect for the young Englishman despite being named Sky Sports’ player of the match earlier.
Cucurella did a great job of nullifying the threat posed by Bukayo Saka, so much that the latter was limited to just two shots that were blocked. Saka was also unable to provide a single key pass or cross and was eventually subbed off with an injury in the second half.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Cucurella said, “He (Saka) is a top player. We’ve faced each other several times, and I have big respect for him. It was a good battle. I tried not to give him space and to stay close to him. We know he’s a special talent, so I did my best for the team.”
The Blues will enter the international break in third place, ahead of Arsenal in fourth on goal difference.
Marc Cucurella’s season so far with the Blues
After having a dream summer with Spain and winning Euro 2024, Cucurella entered the 2024/25 season with the weight of expectations on his shoulders.
His performances have been impressive across competitions so far, with the Spaniard carrying on his consistency from his national team performances into his club performances.
Marc Cucurella has made a total of 12 appearances for Chelsea across competitions, amassing 920 minutes of action so far. Ten of those have been in the Premier League, with Cucurella also receiving six bookings for fouls. However, he has started eight of 10 of Chelsea’s PL games so far, and came off the bench in the other two.
Kyle Walker’s comment on Saka
England defender Kyle Walker showed the first sign that Manchester City are starting to become concerned about Arsenal’s title charge in his exchange with Gunners superstar Bukayo Saka.
The two greeted each other as they reported for Three Lions duty before jetting off to Qatar for the World Cup later this month. Both were all smiles while shaking hands before Walker asked the Gunners winger: “Are you guys [Arsenal] going to stop winning?”
Saka did little more than laugh before adding: “Don’t worry about that bro, are you feeling good?”, in footage that will surely delight Arsenal fans everywhere. Those seven words from Walker are perhaps the clearest indicator yet that regardless of what fans and pundits may think – City are taking Arsenal seriously.
