Interestingly, the derby would see Nigerian internationals on parade as Arsenal boasts youngster Alex Iwobi, while the Blues are likely to parade Victor Moses, as John Mikel Obi remains doubtful for the clash billed to start at 5:30pm.
Aside from the Gunners victory in last year’s Community Shield, the Blues have held the upper hand in recent years, but Wenger is confident that will change.
“It is an important game for us because we feel we are on the way up and Chelsea is a good test and a good opportunity for us to continue our progress,” Wenger who clocked 20 years with Arsenal as manager last week told the Gunners' official website.
“Chelsea in the last 10 years had very, very strong teams. You realise that today as well. Before that period, we were always beating them, after they were always the stronger team for a few years.
“Now, it looks like it’s a new era where it’s a bit more balanced again and we feel we are progressing at the moment so we have a good opportunity to grab and to change what I call ‘the inconvenient facts’ of the recent years.
“Chelsea have always come to the Emirates with a strong defensive solidity and to [try to] catch us on the break, because they know we like to take the initiative,” added Wenger.
“[Antonio] Conte has very strong players in transition, like Hazard, like Willian, like Diego Costa. For us to stop them, these three players, from being dangerous will be one of the keys of the game.”
Another key will be keeping 11 men on the pitch, something we didn’t manage in two Premier League games against Chelsea last season.
“Yes, we talk about that because in the last two games, we’ve played against Chelsea with 10 men,” said the French manager.
“Of course for the result on Saturday, it will be important the way we play football, but as well the way we behave, because discipline and results are strongly linked. The results we’ve had in the last two games are that we couldn’t play 11 against 11.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager, Antonia Conte says Saturday's clash means a lot to one of
Arsenal's former players, Cesc Fabregas now in his squad.
"For Cesc [ Fabregas] this is a special game but the most important thing for Cesc now is that he is a Chelsea player and he is playing very well for Chelsea. I am seeing him very focused and concentrated during the training and he played a good game in the cup. It is a possibility he can start [against] Arsenal. I have another day to make the decision.
"We know tomorrow we face a good team and for sure they will fight until the end to win the title. Arsenal has good young players with great technique and good potential and organisation. They play good football.
"This is a big game between two big rivals and it is important to play a good game after the defeat against Liverpool," the Italian manager, Conte told the official website of the Blues after his media conference on Friday afternoon.
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We need discipline to win--Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says maintaining discipline is the key to beating Chelsea as both sides clash at the Emirates today in the English Premier League.
The Gunners have been shown four red cards in their past five Premier League matches against their London rivals, and the squad know that keeping cool will be essential.
“It’d be nice to keep 11 men on the pitch against Chelsea this time round,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told the Arsenal's official website.
“I know it sounds funny but generally speaking in the last few games against them, it’s always a big clash with a lot of emotions and maybe some mind games.
“First and foremost, it’s a massive game and we just need to keep our discipline and stay in the game. I’d back this team to be able to beat anyone in the league on our day.
“It’s going to be a big occasion but we can’t get too caught up in it, we just need to go out and play our game.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain also stressed the importance the home crowd can play today, and hopes
that he can play his part in sending the fans home happy.
“It will make a difference, but at the same time you’ve got to keep a cool head and you can’t let all of that cloud your judgement or get the better of you on the day," he said.
“You know, if you go a goal up and the crowd starts getting right behind you it can push you on. At the same time, sometimes you might end up going a goal down and the crowd can show their frustration and you can’t let that affect you too much because you’ve got to focus on getting the right result and keep plugging away.
“The crowd will be massive and I’m sure the atmosphere will be great. It always is for the big games and we’ve got to use that to our advantage. We need to get the right result so everyone leaving the Emirates happy.”
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Caption: Nigeria's Iwobi (Arsenal) faces compatriot, Moses in a London derby at the Emirates.
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