Bukayo Saka will be the main man for Arsenal when they face Chelsea in the Premier League.
The Gunners are not as reliant on the Englishman as they were before, but he is still the player everyone looks at when they need a game-changing moment.
Saka has had success against Chelsea in the past, but John Terry thinks he could have a problem when the two teams meet on Sunday – because of Marc Cucurella.
This is what happened in Arsenal’s last trip to Stamford Bridge
John Terry thinks Bukayo Saka doesn’t like Marc Cucurella because of his aggression
Bukayo Saka and Cucurella have had many great battles over the years.
The Arsenal man is among the best right-wingers on the planet, and he is often a nightmare to defend against in 1v1 situations.
Cucurella has been a victim of Saka’s brilliance on a few occasions, but the Spaniard has chosen to be very physical in these battles.
That has brought him a bit of success in recent games, and Terry believes Saka is not a big fan of the defender for that very reason.
The Chelsea legend is hoping for the same from Cucurella when Arsenal come to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
He said in his TikTok: “We have Saka up against Cucurella. That’s always a good battle with them two.
“I’m not sure Saka likes the aggression from Cucurella, but let me tell you, every Chelsea supporter does. So, hopefully, he brings the same energy and same intensity like he does always.”
Mikel Merino could help Bukayo Saka win his battle against Marc Cucurella
The problem Saka has faced at Arsenal over the years is that teams tend to double up on him. There have even been games where three players were tasked to stop him.
Mikel Arteta has found a solution to that issue.
Viktor Gyokeres stretching the opposition defence helped make more space for Saka, but with the Swede out injured, Mikel Merino has been doing a different job to help the right winger.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka or Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella – who’s going to come out on top?
The Spaniard, who has been playing as a striker, has dropped deep a lot in recent games. By doing so, he is dragging defenders away from whom they are supposed to mark.
If Merino drifts to the right flank and takes Cucurella’s attention away from Saka even momentarily, the Arsenal number seven can have a huge impact.
The Hale End star may not like Cucurella’s aggression, but he has never backed away from him. That is why the Spaniard has never beaten Saka in games between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
