Midfield battle can decide Chelsea v Arsenal derby clash, claims Arsenal Invincible | OneFootball

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes the Premier League’s blockbuster London derby at Stamford Bridge will hinge on one battle above all others: Declan Rice vs Moises Caicedo, two midfield powerhouses in outstanding form. And in Parlour’s eyes, Arsenal’s £105m talisman has never looked better.

Parlour has watched Rice’s rise closely, long before the England star ever wore red and white. The former midfielder laughs as he recalls pestering his old friend Mark Noble, Rice’s mentor and former West Ham captain, for inside information.

“I always saw Mark in the local pub,” Parlour says. “I was always asking him, ‘Come on, is Dec going to Arsenal?’ And Mark would say, ‘I don’t think they can afford him.’ Then Arsenal came up with the £105m and he wanted to come. His family wanted him to come. And now the fans sing, ‘We got him half-price.’”

For Parlour, Rice has lived up to every expectation and more.

“He’s never let anybody down. I had no doubt he’d be a success. He’s been a massive influence not just on the pitch, but in the dressing room. Behind the scenes, people say he’s brilliant for the young players. He gets everybody going. He’s been absolutely superb for Arsenal.”

With both London giants in strong form, Parlour, speaking exclusively to Hayters as an ambassador for NetBet Online Casino, expects the central battle to be a key factor.

“Declan’s definitely up there with the best midfielders playing in Europe right now and you have to include Caicedo in that conversation too. They’ve both been phenomenal. That midfield fight will be crucial. Let’s see who can boss it.”

How Zubimendi Unlocks Rice

A key factor in Rice’s evolution this season has been the arrival of Martin Zubimendi, whose deeper, more disciplined role has allowed the England international star to roam forward with freedom.

“Zubimendi has been brilliant,” Parlour emphasises. “People don’t always notice how efficient he is, but I do because I know what to look for in that position. He’s a bit like Gilberto Silva, our ‘Invisible Wall’ from the Invincibles era. He keeps everything simple and gives Declan the licence to get forward.”

That blend, Parlour says, has allowed Rice to show his full range, more Bryan Robson than holding midfielder.

“Declan’s an old-school box-to-box player. I hate it when people say he’s a holding midfielder. If there’s space, you run into it. And Declan is such an athlete – he’s everywhere.”

A Rest? Not This Weekend.

Rice reacted in Arsenal’s matchday programme ahead of their midweek victory over Bayern Munich how team-mates nickname in training call him “The Horse” because of his endurance, something Parlour fully understands.

“He’s a galloper. Once he’s going, he’s everywhere. I was like that too. You get your fitness from games. And Dec loves playing three times a week. He’ll definitely play Sunday.”

Arsenal fans would gladly take a win, but Parlour, ever the pragmatist, believes a point away from home would be perfectly respectable.

“I know Arsenal have a great record there in recent years, but it’s a tough place to go and Chelsea are in great form. They will be on the front foot. If Arsenal come away with a draw, I think that’s okay.”

But if Rice wins his duel with Caicedo, Parlour knows Arsenal’s chances will soar.

“And with the form he’s in? Declan can take on anyone.”