Chelsea are going to need all of their big players to be at their best in order to win individual battles against Arsenal, including Moises Caicedo up against Declan Rice.
The Ecuador international let himself down in the reverse Premier League fixture between the two sides, getting sent off in the first half of a 1-1 draw.
Comparisons between Caicedo and Rice are hard to avoid, especially surrounding a fixture between the two, with numerous figures in the game having their say on it.
Petr Cech picks Moises Caicedo over Declan Rice
Petr Cech, who despite being a Chelsea legend did play for both sides, was asked by LiveSport and Canal+ to rank each side’s players against each other, including the match-up between the two midfielders.
He selected Caicedo over Rice for his starting side, with him actually including more Chelsea players in the XI than Arsenal ones.
Reece James was selected over Jurrien Timber, while Marc Cucurella made the side ahead of Riccardo Calafiori.
The Blues are desperately going to miss the Spaniard, who has already been ruled out of the game, with him being one of the best examples in world football of dealing with Bukayo Saka.
Cech’s combined XI attack largely falls in the favour of Chelsea too. He picked Cole Palmer over Ebere Eze, and Pedro Neto over Gabriel Martinelli.
In the battle of the new strikers, the former goalkeeper selected Joao Pedro over Viktor Gyokeres.
What the rest of the footballing world has said about Moises Caicedo vs Declan Rice
Pundits are always keen to have their say on this debate. Paul Merson voted in favour of the Arsenal man when he was asked earlier this week.
It is perhaps better to listen to those who play on the pitch both with and against the duo though, and this is where it starts to lean back into Caicedo’s favour.
Alexis Mac Allister selected Caicedo out of the trio that involves Rice and Rodri, with him having the pleasure of playing alongside him at Brighton.
The hope will be that a week’s rest from Premier League action will allow for a slightly rejuvenated version of the midfielder to come out. He has looked fatigued of late.