Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli has identified Chelsea’s Reece James as the toughest opponent he has faced. In a TikTok video on the Champions League’s official page, the winger acknowledged the difficulty of playing against James. Chelsea is currently dealing with the absence of James due to a hamstring injury that required surgery after seeking specialist advice.
Despite being named club captain under Mauricio Pochettino, James’ absence has posed a challenge for Chelsea. In a game where James featured from the bench against Arsenal, the team exhibited a strong performance but eventually settled for a draw after a late setback.
Martinelli, who started for Arsenal in that fixture, expressed that James was his most formidable opponent, surpassing the challenges posed by players like Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier. With James out, Malo Gusto has stepped in and delivered impressive performances, providing a crucial contribution to Chelsea’s defensive lineup amid injury concerns. The Frenchman’s return to full fitness comes at a crucial time for the Blues, preventing the need to rely on regular center-back Axel Disasi in that position, potentially resulting in an unusual defensive lineup.