Antonio Conte reveals team selection criteria for Arsenal clash

Antonio Conte has revealed that winning the game is his main criteria and will always select a team best suited to deliver a positive result. The manager named a changed lineup for Chelsea's third round EFL Cup win over Leicester City on Tuesday (20 September), but indicated that the entire squad will have a chance to stake their claim for a place in the starting lineup for the clash against Arsenal on Saturday (24<sup>th September).

Cesc Fabregas has fallen out-of-favour under the Italian manager and has managed just 32 minutes in the Premier League thus far this campaign. He has started two games with both coming in the EFL Cup. The Spanish midfielder impressed in his latest outing against Leicester in the third round of the League cup, scoring two goals in extra-time to wrap a comeback victory.

The former Juventus boss has made it clear that the players who impress him during training in the next three days before their trip to the Emirates Stadium will make the starting XI. And he also indicated that he is not averse to dropping big name players if they are not up to the mark on the training ground.

When asked if Fabregas could return to the starting lineup for the trip to the Emirates Stadium: "All the players in my squad have the possibility to play against Arsenal," Conte responded, as quoted on Chelsea's official site.

"There are three days before the game and they have the opportunity to show me during the training sessions, to have a good shape, and convince me to put them in the line-up.

"I want to win. My choice is done to win. I don't care what the surname is. It's important when I call someone to play to show me my choice is not wrong," the Italian coach added.

Conte praised Fabregas' performance following the game after the midfielder scored two goals in two extra-time minutes to help the Blues comeback from 2-0 down to win the game 4-2. The Chelsea boss was pleased with the midfielder's attitude despite being overlooked for a place in the squad for their clashes in the Premier League thus far this campaign.

"I am pleased for Cesc. He played a good game and he showed me in this period great attitude and commitment during the training sessions and when I call him during the game to come on. I'm satisfied when I see this behaviour," the former Juventus boss said.

"This is the right way. I want my players to create good competition in the team and game by game give me the opportunity to choose the best line-up."