Marc Cucurella was left smiling as Pedro Neto joked about that the Chelsea defender merely had to be himself to stop Bukayo Saka.
The Chelsea left-back was named Player of the Match in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Cucurella was left grinning after Neto joke on how he stopped Saka[/caption]
Cucurella came out on top in a tense battle with Saka down the Gunners’ right flank.
However, he was able to limit the England international’s threat to his goal throughout the afternoon.
Saka’s match ended early, though, as he limped off in the 81st minute following a robust challenge by Cucurella and was replaced by Gabriel Jesus.
Cucurella spoke to Sky Sports alongside goalscorer Neto after the match.
Discussing his battle with Saka, the 26-year-old explained: “I think he is a top player, we’ve played a lot of times in front of each other.
“Big respect, I think he’s a top player so I try to do my work. He wants to do his work so it’s a good battle and I hope to do more of this.”
He was then asked what the ‘secret’ is to stopping Saka, prompting Neto to quip: “Being Marc Cucurella.”
His joke left Cucurella grinning with Neto laughing at his own joke, before the Spaniard added: “I try not to give him space, I try to always be close to him.
“We know he’s a special talent so I try to do my work and help my team. I need to do my job in the pitch.
“I think today I tried to do my best and we got one point.”
Cucurella won man of the match after his battle with Saka during Sunday’s draw[/caption]
Cucurella returned to the starting line-up on Sunday, replacing club captain Reece James.
The former Brighton man had appeared off the bench in Chelsea’s last two league matches.
He was handed his tenth start of the campaign across all competitions by Enzo Maresca against their London rivals.
Chelsea are third in the table following the draw with Pedro Neto’s strike from distance cancelling out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener.
The result means Chelsea remain above the Gunners on goal difference.
It is the first time they have been in the top three since the final day of the 2021/22 season.
