With one man 20 years into his tenure, and the other just ten weeks on the job, the Chelsea and Arsenal bosses will both be desperate to win Saturday's teatime kick off – for very different reasons.

Chelsea are undefeated at The Emirates in almost six years – their last loss there coming after Christmas 2010, under the leadership of Carlo Ancelotti.

There is a minor feeling of invincibility when SW6 arrives in N7; and at a time when a little of the lustre has faded from the new Blues boss' opening run, he will not want to be the man to see hard-earned bragging-rights travel north.

For Conte, after the 1-2 defeat to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, the honeymoon is over.

His initial welcome had been little short of gushing, but the aftermath of that defeat saw some pretty dry home truths aimed his way by Chelsea fans.

The complaints in particular about his substitutions, or rather lack of them, seem to have been received loud and clear – though it remains to be seen whether Conte will heed the advice, or stick to his own game plan.

It was notable that he took the time to this week issue a heartfelt thanks to those fans, after a sold-out away end cheered the team to extra time victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

The Italian apparently insisted on speaking the words on camera after all of his other duties were finished – an almost unheard-of request to do more of the media managers seldom enjoy.

And he clearly understands the need to keep Chelsea's support onside.

Those around him are already able to see a more genuine understanding of the needs and passions of supporters, than perhaps exhibited by a certain predecessor: who was as quick to praise, but equally speedy to criticise those who ultimately pay the wages.

Just look at the way Conte lived the Euros with his Azzurri: kicking every ball with them, celebrating every goal no less than the most crazed ultra.

Arsene Wenger

But he knows that, no matter how heartfelt, such words will be seen as empty without the results to accompany them.

The biggest question, ahead of the trip up the Piccadilly Line, relates to Cesc Fabregas – both vital and peripheral so far this season.

His personal support has been bolstered by a series of match-winning cameos, and a refusal to be anything but professional in the face of his new boss' seeming indifference to him as a starting option.

Speaking on Tuesday night, his only criticism was for those writing headlines claiming of some wedge being driven between he and Conte, or he and Chelsea.

Arsenal away is a huge fixture for Fabregas, and not just because of his own personal history.

A frequent complaint about the Spaniard is that he thrives only when given the space to do so, and that when the midfield press closes him down he is denied any outlet.

But, as was seen in the Guus Hiddink-led win there in January, Wenger's blueprint gives exactly the sort of square-yardage needed to make Fabregas' game work.

For the Arsenal boss, meanwhile, this will be seen as a huge test.

The grumbles about his lack of pragmatism, and refusal to modify his methods depending on opposition, continue apace among a growing proportion of the club's support.

There is far more open discussion, both inside and outside of Arsenal, about what will happen 'when' Wenger goes.

It is notable, on this 20th anniversary of his appointment, that the media fanfare is being courted far less than might be expected for such a massive figure in the history of the Premier League.

Perhaps memories are all too fresh of the circus around his 1000th game with the club – something Wenger will want no reminder of any time soon.

This leaves it all set-up for a tantalising prospect on Saturday evening.

Careers and silverware will not be decided by this game – it is far too early in the season for that.

But the outcome will determine, to quite a large extent, how smooth the road will be for either boss – at a time when neither needs to hit a pothole.