The Gunners play host to Antonio Conte and his Chelsea side at The Emirates on Saturday evening, and it looks to be quite the clash.

The London rivals are yet to meet since the Italian took the reigns at Stamford Bridge, with both sides having got off to a mixed start this season.

The Blues have mirrored the form of their North London counterparts, beginning their season with three consecutive wins before stumbling with a draw and a loss, against Swansea and Liverpool respectively. Whilst Arsene Wenger’s side, who began with a loss and a draw, go into the game off the back of three wins in the Premier League and a resounding 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in The EFL Cup.

The host’s, who remain without Per Mertersacker, Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey will asses the fitness of French forward Olivier Giroud before the game as he returns from a foot injury.

The visitors, meanwhile, could welcome back captain John Terry to the side after the ankle injury he picked up in the draw with Swansea earlier in the month.

With that in mind, how will Wenger line up against his South London rivals? Here is the Arsenal Mania predicted XI…

GK: Petr Cech

Arsene Wenger has been rotating his shot-stoppers in recent weeks, with both David Ospina and Emiliano Martínez getting a chance in the Champions League and EFL Cup respectively.

However, with the return of the Premier League comes the return of the Czech ‘keeper, who will be raring to go against his old club.

RB: Hector Bellerin

Despite having been linked with a return to Barcelona this week, the Spanish full-back will be more than ready to go against Antonio Conte’s side.

Being at home the 21-year-old will be keen to get on the front foot and have a go at his opposite number in the Chelsea ranks, he could prove crucial in supplying those in front of him.

CB: Shkodran Mustafi

The German international was left out of the squad which travelled to the City Ground on Tuesday and will be in line to make his return on Saturday evening.

The World Cup winner will need to use all his experience in order to manage the threat from Diego Costa, who has proved to be a tough customer for opposing defences so far this season, drawing plenty of fouls.

CB: Laurent Koscielny

Despite missing the start of the season in order to recover from his exploits at the European Championships this summer, the French defender has made a strong start to life back in the Premier League.

Like his defensive partner, the 31-year-old was also rested for the EFL Cup trip in the week and can be expected to return to the starting XI for the visit of Chelsea this weekend.

LB: Nacho Monreal

The Spanish left-back was replaced by his teammate Kieran Gibbs in the week but can be expected to be called up once again to face the Blues on Saturday.

The 30-year-old has played 90 minutes in all but one of the Gunners’ five Premier League games this season, as well as the full game in Paris. He will be looking to nullify the threat from Chelsea’s wingers whilst also attempting to link up with those ahead of him.

CM: Granit Xhaka

The Swiss sensation is surely due for a start this weekend, isn’t he? The former Borussia Monchengladbach man can feel hard done by that he as been left on the bench for previous games and will be hoping that two spectacular goals in his last two outings will be enough to earn him a spot in the side.

CM: Santi Cazorla

The Spanish midfielder has a rather poor record against the Blues, having won just once in eight outings against the South London side, something he will be desperate to improve come Saturday.

The 31-year-old has been on fine form in recent weeks, practically running the show in the last-ditch win over Southampton at The Emirates, and we could do with a similar performance this weekend.

AM: Mesut Ozil

‘The Assist King’ is yet to fully hit his stride this season, and where better to get going than Chelsea at home? The German international will be raring to go in order to reclaim his crown.

Like his teammate, Cazorla, the former Real Madrid man has a poor record against the Blues and will be keen to improve that at The Emirates on Saturday.

RW: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The former Southampton youngster is a player who needs a confidence boost to get going and often relies on veins of form to keep his spot.

His late goal at the City Ground could just be the start of a spectacular run for the winger who is definitely worthy of a place on the team sheet this weekend.

LW: Alexis Sanchez

The Chile international has been utilised in a more central role so far the season, but can cause much more damage when coming in from the wing.

With the Chelsea back line expected to be back to full strength with the return of John Terry from injury, it would be wise to slot the former Barcelona man in where he can cause the most trouble.

ST: Lucas Perez

A brace against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup is no signal that in Perez we have the striker we have all been calling for, however, it will come as a huge confidence boost for the summer signing.

Another big boost would be Arsene Wenger showing that he trusts his new man against the big boys, it is time to give Perez his chance.