Conte guns for revenge for FA Cup heartache
Sanchez very much a part of our plans, says Arsenal teammate Mertesacker
Antonio Conte has challenged Chelsea to avenge last season’s FA Cup final heartache when they face title rivals Arsenal today.
Conte’s team were denied a memorable Premier League and FA Cup double after the champions crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal at Wembley in May.
With Alexis Sanchez scoring a controversial opener for Arsenal and Chelsea’s Victor Moses sent off for diving, it was a bitter conclusion to an otherwise perfect first season in charge for Conte.
The Gunners also handed Conte the most chastening defeat of his reign earlier that season with a 3-0 victory in the league, as well as defeating Chelsea in the Community Shield at the start of this term.
Any meeting with London rivals Arsenal is a big moment in Chelsea’s season, but those painful losses mean the latest derby at Stamford Bridge carries extra significance for Conte and company.
“I remember very well that game. We were unlucky, if you remember the first goal it was very strange,” Conte said of the Cup final.
“I was sure this goal would be disallowed, instead we started 1-0 down,” he said.
“When you lose, there is always disappointment but I always see a good mentality from my players when there is a defeat.”
That opening weekend loss to Burnley aside, it has been a perfect start for Chelsea, with three successive league wins followed by a 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag in the Champions League on Tuesday.
In contrast, Arsenal have endured a rocky period as a loss at Stoke was followed by a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Liverpool.
Arsenal have gone 13 years without winning the English title and last season failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
Arsene Wenger’s side have no margin for error as they try to keep up with the early pacesetters in the title race and Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker admits it’s essential Sanchez rediscovers his best form.
Sanchez failed in his attempt to force a transfer to Manchester City on deadline day, but the Chile forward remains part of Wenger’s plans and scored against Cologne on Thursday.
“He’s a part of the team, so we want everyone to be involved at their best. And obviously he’s going to be vital,” Mertesacker said.