LONDON -- Antonio Conte insists Cesc Fabregas has a chance to make Chelsea's starting XI against Arsenal on Saturday, but says he is yet to decide who he will pick for the trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Fabregas made a strong claim for a first Premier League start of the season with two extra time goals as Chelsea came from behind to beat Leicester City 4-2 in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday, and afterwards said he is working hard to convince Conte to restore him to the team.
Conte admits that Saturday's clash against former club Arsenal will be "special" for Fabregas, who spent eight years with the Gunners before joining Barcelona in August 2011, but says he has not made up his mind about his starting XI.
"For Cesc, for sure, it's a special game," Conte said. "But the most important thing for Cesc is that, now, he's a Chelsea player and playing very well for Chelsea.
"I'm seeing him very focused, very concentrated, during the training sessions. He played a good game in the [EFL] Cup. It can be a possibility that he can start in the lineup, but I have another day to make a decision. For him, sure, it will be a special game."
Saturday's match also marks Conte's first meeting with Arsene Wenger, who is celebrating 20 years as Arsenal manager.
Jose Mourinho regularly goaded Wenger during his two spells at Chelsea, but Conte has shown no desire to provoke tensions with rival managers since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, and on Friday the Italian was quick to pay tribute to his opponent's achievements.
"It's fantastic if someone is able to stay for 20 years in the same club," Conte said of Wenger. "I think it's fantastic. There is satisfaction on both sides [manager and club].
"Sometimes I think it's important, when you're a manager, not only to think about win, lose or draw. The manager must also coach and do work every day during the week. If you see a coach or manager works very well and, during the season, you can't win, you must view him for his job, for his work.
"Sometimes if you judge only on wins, you make a big mistake and pay for this in the future.
"Arsenal has a good story. They're an important team. I don't want to go into a situation between Wenger and Mourinho because I don't want that. But I think that Arsenal and, above all, Wenger are doing a good job."