Antonio Conte believes our recent record against Arsenal will count for nothing when we travel to the Emirates to take on the Gunners this evening.
We haven’t lost to Arsene Wenger’s side in the Premier League since a 5-3 reverse in 2011, and their last win over as at the Emirates came back in December 2010.
Conte, though, expects his side to face a tough examination later today.
‘I don’t like these type of statistics because every game is different,’ said the Italian. ‘I know we have had good results against Arsenal but we must know we face a good team in great shape.
‘They are a big rival but we must pay great attention, try to play good football and get a result.’
Cesc Fabregas will hope to be involved against the club he captained before moving to Barcelona and while the midfielder, who scored a brace in midweek at Leicester, is yet to start a Premier League game this season, the head coach has been impressed with the way he has responded to not being named in the starting line-up.
‘I’m pleased with the attitude and commitment of Cesc during training sessions and the last games, when I called him to come on. I want to see this from all my players. Cesc hasn’t played but it can happen to all of the players,’ he said.
The man in the opposing dug-out this evening, Arsene Wenger, celebrated 20 years as Arsenal manager earlier this week, and Conte paid tribute to the job the Frenchman is doing.
‘He has a great reputation,’ he added. ‘Arsene Wenger is doing a good job but it’s normal that when every year you fight for the title you want to win it, but to stay up there every year is not easy. When you watch Arsenal you see good football.’
The Blues bounced back impressively from our defeat to Liverpool when we came from behind to beat Leicester in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, and Conte spoke about the importance of looking beyond results when assessing the work being carried out by managers in the modern game.
‘When you win, you must understand the way in which you win,’ said the Blues boss. ‘I think it’s important because sometimes the win is a situation where there isn’t a solid base.
‘If I’m a director, when you can see good work every day in the training sessions, you can value the work. If a coach or manager is working well and you don’t win, I’m sure in the future you will win.
‘If I’m a director and I don’t see good work but the team still win, the future is not good.’
