Conte has a plan for Arsenal but has not decided Wembley line-up

Antonio Conte says he has a plan to keep his key players fresh for the FA Cup final but has not yet decided his line-up for the Wembley clash with Arsenal.

With his side having already clinched the Premier League title, Chelsea boss Conte made several changes for Monday’s 4-3 win against Watford, resting the likes of Diego Costa, Gary Cahill and David Luiz.

And the Italian is expected to give some fringe players another outing when the Blues finish their league campaign against Sunderland this weekend, six days before the cup final.

Conte explained: “You must have a plan in your head because you don’t (just) play a final on the Saturday, you start to play 10 days before and for this reason I have a plan to try to arrive to play in the final in the best condition – the best situation for my players.”

However, Conte also admitted he faces some tough choices when deciding his starting XI to take on the Gunners.

Asked if he had already decided what his team will be, he said: “At the moment, I must be honest, no. I have time to make the best decision but in this moment I have 13 or 14 players who deserve to play in the FA Cup.

“I have to take my time and then make the best decision. I have to pick players that for me are in better form.”