MX23RW : Friday, April 26 08:53:08| >> :120:6874:6874:

Gary Cahill: Robin van Persie is a different challenge to Lionel Messi

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill insists that Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is a different challenge to Lionel Messi ahead of Sunday's game at the Emirates.

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has claimed that Robin van Persie is a "different sort of challenge" to Lionel Messi.

The defender comes up against Van Persie this weekend as the Blues travel to Arsenal in the Premier League.

However, Cahill goes into the match at the Emirates Stadium off the back of a 1-0 win over Messi's Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie in midweek.

"I haven't played against Arsenal this season," the 26-year-old told The Mirror. "That's an absolute result, although I played against Van Persie for England against Holland.

"His left foot is amazing and the goals he's scored have been from everywhere - headers, shots, volleys, all types of goals. He's very, very dangerous, he's going to be a handful.

"He's a different sort of challenge to Messi, who has a lower centre of gravity with his pace and trickery when he's running at you, but Van Persie is no slouch."

Chelsea can move to within four points of third-placed Arsenal with a win on Sunday.

ID:24463: cacheID:24463:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2215:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Gary Cahill
Read Next:
Cahill: Barcelona match 'an important experience'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!