Arsenal and Chelsea recently battled to a draw at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella has shared his admiration for one particular Arsenal player.
During the match, Cucurella delivered a standout performance and was awarded Man of the Match by Gary Neville, who commented on it during the Sky Sports broadcast.
The Spanish defender has had a remarkable past six months, having won the European Championships and quickly establishing himself as an essential player in Enzo Maresca’s reshaped Chelsea squad.
In this game, one of the key aspects of Cucurella’s strong showing was his effectiveness in containing Arsenal’s influential forward, Bukayo Saka.
Saka has been a significant asset for Arsenal under manager Mikel Arteta, but he struggled to make an impact in this particular match, eventually exiting the game with an injury.
However, rather than focusing on Saka’s struggles, Cucurella used the opportunity to commend him, expressing “huge respect” for the Arsenal winger.
In his post-match comments to Premier League Productions, Cucurella spoke about his one-on-one encounters with Saka, acknowledging Chelsea’s awareness of Saka’s quality as a top-level player. “It was a tough game,” Cucurella said.
“Arsenal have been working together under the same approach for a long time, but we played well. We need to keep pushing forward, stay focused, and continue on this path.”
Cucurella then praised Saka, stating, “Bukayo Saka is an excellent player.
We’ve gone up against each other a number of times, and there’s a lot of mutual respect between us.
It’s always a good competition, and I look forward to more of those battles.”
Describing his approach to defending Saka, Cucurella said, “I try to stay close and limit his space.
We know he’s a unique talent, so I just focus on doing my job to support my team. I aim to put my best foot forward.”
Cucurella’s resurgence at Chelsea has been noteworthy, especially since it wasn’t long ago that he was rumored to be on the brink of leaving the club.
Much of this revival can be attributed to Enzo Maresca’s influence, yet Cucurella also deserves considerable recognition for his own hard work and dedication.
Since regaining form, Cucurella has solidified his role as an integral member of Maresca’s lineup, working his way back from a period where his future at Chelsea seemed uncertain.
This recent form has even fueled speculation that Ben Chilwell, not Cucurella, may be the one departing Chelsea.
Cucurella’s remarks about Saka also showcase his professionalism and character, reflecting the respect he holds for an opponent even in the heat of competition.
His comments highlight the sportsmanship and mutual respect that often underpin high-level football, and they underscore his own growth as a player at Chelsea.
