Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believed his relationship with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is better than ever after the two elite football tactician exchange feisty words few years ago.

"With all competitors there are ups and downs," Wenger told the Arsenal website via ESPN FC. "You could see that again between [Manuel] Pellegrini and Mourinho, because we put our whole heart into every single game. Sometimes we go overboard and that is part of the job. With the distance after, it always settles."

Wenger said it was not surprising at all to see Mourinho coaching the Blues again after a successful stint with Real Madrid.

"It was not a big surprise [that Mourinho returned] because there was talk about it many times," added Wenger. "When he left Madrid, it looked to be one of his best opportunities to come back.

"What the Premier League wants first is the quality of the games and his teams give you always a tough game. That is what you want," he added.

Meanwhile, Chelsea forward Andre Schuerrle is looking forward to lock horns with Arsenal, despite the fact that he has friends on the opposite side of the field.

"I think the manager will change many positions but we have high quality in every member of the squad and there will be no problem for us," Schuerrle told the Chelsea website via ESPN FC.

"I think Arsenal will change their players, too, and it's going to be a good match. I am very happy to be a part of our squad, and with a team like Chelsea you want to win every competition you are in, so we'll do everything tomorrow to win the match.

"Arsenal are doing well and it's no surprise for me that Mesut [Ozil] is playing so well. I'll be happy to see him and [Per] Mertesacker because we have a good team spirit in the national team and we are all good friends, but for 90 minutes, there are no friends," he added.