“All I Want Is To Beat Arsenal” – Antonio Conte Says

“All I Want Is To Beat Arsenal” – Antonio Conte Says

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte says he is still haunted by Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirate Stadium in September.

The Italian boss insists the Premier League title race is far from over even if his team beats Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues head into Saturday’s clash nine points clear of Tottenham and Arsenal at the top of the table.

Chelsea have also won 15 of their last 17 Premier League matches since the defeat.

The former Italy coach says the Arsenal defeat has never been far from his thoughts over the past four months.

He told news conference, “This defeat seems far [away], but it’s important to remember the defeat against Arsenal because it was a bad defeat, 3-0 after the first half, and in my mind it’s always present.

“Tomorrow this game will be very difficult and I think it’s important to remember the first game against Arsenal. I think a lot of things have changed now. For sure, we are a team [now].

“We want to have a good game tomorrow against Arsenal and try to win. We play at home and we have our fans to push [us] a lot. For these reasons, we want to play a good game, to win, but it will be a really tough game and we must pay great attention.”

Conte insists that the result of Arsenal’s last Tuesday’s encounter against Watford result is not a true reflection of the challenge his team can expect to face at Stamford Bridge.

“Sometimes the final result doesn’t tell the truth,” Conte said. “If you watch the game, I think Arsenal were unlucky a lot. Watford played a really good game, but Arsenal had a lot of opportunities to score the goal, draw and then win.

“It didn’t happen, but I think they are in good shape, in good form, and that result was a strange result.

“If we win the game, for sure, it’s a good hit for us. To improve our own place in the table, take three points and also to have Arsenal 12 points [away], that’s very good. But tomorrow, I’m sure, it will be a really tough game and we must pay great attention.

“Arsenal beat us already in the first game, and they have the possibility to repeat this in this game. For this reason, we must be focused, stay in great concentration, and have the same anger, the same will to fight and try to win. It’s important. I like to repeat to my players: look at yourselves, not at others.”

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