Chelsea striker Didier Drogba admits it will 'mean a lot' to face Arsenal at the weekend after admiring the team in his early playing career.
The Blues entertain their London rivals at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in one of the biggest clashes of the Premier League season.
And former Marseille man Drogba says he is relishing the encounter after following Arsene Wenger's side during his playing days in France.
"I love playing big games and I love playing against Arsenal," Ivory Coast striker Drogba told Sky Sports News.
"I always say that Arsenal is one of my favourite teams.
"When I was playing in France, Arsenal was an example for us because there were all these French players who used to play in the French league and went abroad to play for Arsenal with a French manager.
"So to play against them for me means a lot."
Both Chelsea and Arsenal enter the capital derby on the back of their first Premier League defeats of the campaign last weekend, against Manchester City and West Brom respectively.
However, the two sides have gone some way to compensate for their losses with success in their midweek UEFA Champions League group games.
Drogba has underlined the importance of Sunday's clash, insisting it is crucial defending champions Chelsea do not relinquish another three points.
"I don't think we can afford to lose a second game, especially against Arsenal," he said. "People have to know, and we know, that we're going to lose some games this season.
"But again, it's always good to win, it's always better to win."
Drogba was substituted in the 75th minute of Chelsea's 1-0 defeat at City last Saturday, and admits he was surprised to make an early exit.
However, the striking ace insists he respects Carlo Ancelotti's decision.
"I was surprised because I didn't expect that at that moment of the game," he added. "But the managers always decide and I think he had some reasons and I understand them."
