Conte hoping Chelsea can get off to a good start

Speaking ahead of Sunday's curtain-raiser, Conte said that he was disappointed to have lost last season's FA Cup final but that he was hoping to use Sunday's game as a springboard for the season ahead.

'It was a pity to lose the game, to lose the FA Cup final against Arsenal after a really great season for us,' he explained.

'Now there is another game. We know very well Arsenal is a strong team. 

'We're waiting a game very difficult for us and want to try to start the season with a win. The same (for) Arsenal. I want to see a good game, for the players, for the people.'

The Italian also confirmed that he would be sticking with the 3-4-3 formationa that served his team so well last season.

'After a good season you have to keep the positive things and try to change the negative things,' he said.

'One positive thing was our formation, our system. Now we are trying to continue to work in this system to try to improve. Every system needs to improve season by season, year by year.'

Can Chelsea defend their title this season? Or is their squad just too thin?