Arsene Wenger insists it's never a friendly when Arsenal play Chelsea

Arsene Wenger does not expect Arsenal and Chelsea to play out a typical 'friendly' game when the two teams meet in Beijing on Saturday.

In a repeat of the FA Cup Final, the London rivals face off at the Bird's Nest as their preparations for the new season abroad.

Arsenal and Chelsea have shared a number of fierce battles in recent seasons, with the recent Wembley clash featuring a controversial Alexis Sanchez goal and Victor Moses sending-off.

“It’s difficult to predict but it’s a friendly between Chelsea and Arsenal," Wenger told reporters in China. "That means it’s not really a friendly.

“There is always some desire to have superiority. We played them in the FA Cup, we play them in the Community Shield and then again early in the season.”

On reports of an illness in the squad, Wenger added: “Walcott might not play tomorrow.

"Today we had 21 players fit. Walcott was not ready, but it’s nothing major."