Cesc Fabregas has been speaking all things Arsenal ahead of their clash with Manchester City this weekend.
The Gunners take on their title rivals at The Etihad, knowing a win will be massive for their title hopes.
Both teams will fancy their chances as well. Before the international break, both Arsenal and City were ticking along nicely and this clash will be a butting of heads between two PL giants.
Of course, for Arsenal, there is a feeling of ‘must-win’, even though they’re the team at the top of the table.
Fabregas, of course, knows a thing or two about winning big games. Despite not winning the title with Arsenal, he did win it twice with Chelsea. But while with the Gunners, he broke into the team properly the season after The Invincibles.
And speaking about the current Arsenal squad, Fabregas believes there’s a player in Mikel Arteta’s side who reminds him of one of those ‘Invincibles’.
Cesc Fabregas says current Arsenal star is like Gilberto Silva
Being compared to any of the Arsenal Invincibles squad is always going to be a badge of honour.
This current Arsenal team are a long way from the levels of that Arsene Wenger team but are showing their class in different ways as well.
Speaking to the Planet Premier League podcast, Fabregas was asked if Declan Rice reminds him of any of his former teammates. And Fabregas was in no doubt as he brought up comparisons with Gilberto Silva.
“Yes at Arsenal, especially Gilberto Silva. Gilberto Silva was a player who for me was very underrated. He was a player who knows his limitations, he’s so intelligent. Recovering the ball, staying in the right position, speaking and communicating. He’s aware of, for example if I’m more attacking, he’s aware where I can leave spaces in behind. He’s always aggressive. With the ball he plays two, three touches, very very simple.
“And I remember, two or three times a game he would always go up and have a chance to score a goal, so that shows you what an intelligent player he is. I would think he is one of the players we played with who I didn’t realise how good he was until he was gone,” Fabregas said.
Declan Rice shining for the Gunners
This is a nice comparison from Cesc and something Declan Rice will be happy to read about you’d imagine.
Gilberto is widely regarded as one of the top players from that 2004 team but at the same time, someone who often goes under the radar.
Rice, of course, is winning plenty of plaudits and Fabregas himself even lauded him prior to commenting on Gilberto here. Indeed, Emmanuel Petit sung his praises on the same podcast as well, showing just how much Rice is impressing.
Arsenal, then, stand a big chance of winning against City if Rice does put in a performance.
The post 'So intelligent': Cesc Fabregas says one current Gunner reminds him so much of 'underrated' Arsenal Invincible appeared first on TBR Football.