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.
Jack Prescott
