Maresca, whose Chelsea side has struggled against top teams while performing well against smaller clubs, addressed the media’s questions in a press conference today, highlighting the stability that both Arsenal and Manchester City have built over recent years.
“I don’t know. I also like to get pressure from these kinds of games,” Maresca said when asked about handling the pressure of facing a title-contending team.
“The pressure is also for us. For sure, [Arsenal] are the closest team to City. Both, I consider them better than the rest.”
Expanding on his reasoning, Maresca highlighted the longevity of both clubs’ managers as a key factor.
“The reason why is because one club is working with the same manager for nine years, and the other one is working with the same manager for five years, and this is a big, big, big advantage compared to the rest,” he explained.
“So for me, that’s why they are better than the rest. But we’re going to try on Sunday to make life difficult for them. We’re going to try our best.”
The Chelsea manager also addressed the notion of a “statement win,” with many speculating he needs a major victory over a top team to establish his credentials at Stamford Bridge.
However, Maresca downplayed this idea, saying, “3 points against Southampton is worth the same as 3 against Man City, and all the coach should worry about (especially in his first season at the club) is how many points we end up with.”