Arsenal and Chelsea to meet in summer: Antonio Conte is focused on this

The first ever meeting between the two sides outside the UK is scheduled for July 22.

The clash will take place at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, which has a capacity of 80,000.

Both teams made the announcement ahead of today’s Premier League title battle at Stamford Bridge (12.30pm).

Antonio Conte’s Blues can move 12 points clear at the top of table with a win over the Gunners.

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Antonio Conte and Arsene Wenger are set to meet again when Chelsea and Arsenal face off in China

In this moment we are focused on winning a very important game against Arsenal in the league

Antonio Conte

And the boss insisted while the summer showdown is an exciting prospect, his mind remains on the important job in hand.

“In this moment we are focused on winning a very important game against Arsenal in the league but we are happy to be travelling to China for another exciting match in the summer,” Conte told Chelsea’s official website.

“I have seen already the passion our supporters have for Chelsea here in England and last summer in America, and I believe our fans in China will show the same intensity when we are in Beijing.”

Arsenal’s trip to Beijing accompanies their tour of Australia, which is set for the week before.

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The Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing opened the 2008 Olympics and will now host Chelsea and Arsenal

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Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers will play the Gunners, followed by the Chelsea match in China.

And Arsene Wenger will not take the derby lightly as he sees it as important for his squad ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

“The games are a key part of our preparations for the season ahead,” he told Arsenal’s official website.

“The fact we are flying to the other side of the world is a reinforcement of our commitment to the huge, global following we enjoy.”

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