Fabregas left Arsenal under controversial circumstances to join Barcelona in 2011, and Arsene Wenger turned down the opportunity to re-sign the midfielder in 2014 before his return to the Premier League with Chelsea.
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Fabregas said: “It’s a special fixture because I’ve lived moments there that I’ve never lived in my career”.
Conte confirmed that despite Terry’s eagerness to play in the derby, he has not recovered sufficiently from his injury.
“I just feel like a little boy in training trying to win my spot back as I used to do at Arsenal when I was 16”, he added.
Terry, 35, missed Chelsea’s Premier League defeat against Liverpool and EFL Cup third round win over Leicester City with strained ankle ligaments sustained in the final minute of the Blues’ 2-2 draw with Swansea City earlier this month.
Conte, however, says defensive concerns are nothing new at Stamford Bridge and has called on the team as a whole to become more solid. In the team and the squad we have three central defenders.
“It means we must improve and work together to improve the defensive situations”.
Terry has also been crucial in Chelsea being undefeated against Arsenal in their past nine league meetings and instrumental in them not conceding during the last six of those. “If you want to have a great championship, sure, you can’t concede that many goals”. “Maybe [he can play after the worldwide break]. there’s a possibility, probably, we’ll wait one week more”.
“I’m training like never before, and mentally I feel sensations that I’ve never experienced”. “He is in good shape”.
“I have spoken with Conte; he is a coach who has a very particular playing philosophy”, he explained. “It is a big game between two big rivals and it is important to play a good game”, Conte said. “We know we face a good team”. I hope I can be with the team on Saturday [against Arsenal].
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Conte’s men had their unbeaten record ended by Liverpool, in Terry’s absence, but still boast ten points from five games.
