Arsenal will need three points if they are to return to the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
The Gunners head to Chelsea needing to respond after they dropped points against Southampton last time out. It was only the second time they'd failed to pick up three points this term, which allowed their rivals to steal a march. Last term Mikel Arteta's side picked up three points at Stamford Bridge and will be eyeing a repeat.
The squad trained at their London Colney base prior to their trip across the capital with Arsenal looking to deal Chelsea successive defeats following their reverse at Brighton and Hove Albion last time out. Arteta has no fresh injury woes barring Takehiro Tomiyasu as they look to add the Blues to their list of notable scalps.
Here are five things we spotted from Arsenal's training session ahead of their London derby.
1. Team spirit high
The Gunners were held last time out in a game they'd be expected to win. Throughout the campaign critics have talked up each Arsenal game as a new test, and one they need to pass if they really are to be serious about challenging for the title. Letting two winnable points slip last time out was a blow.
Yet it doesn't seem to have affected morale at London Colney. Arsenal responded by winning in midweek against FC Zurich and the group seemed to be in top spirits 24 hours out from their trip across the capital to take on their rivals, who will provide the latest test for the aspirational outfit.
2. Xhaka driving standards
The Swiss star has been arguably Arsenal's most impressive performer this season. Xhaka has endured a mixed relationship with the club's fans having seen his form go up and down since joining in 2016. Arteta made major efforts to keep the midfielder at the Emirates and looks to be finally getting the most from him.
Xhaka was pictured in numerous drills calling out his team-mates, offering instructions and calling for tweaks in how his colleagues executed. The player was formerly a captain, albeit for a short period, and looks to be taking on a major leadership role even if he is no longer donning the armband.
3. Arteta's Zinchenko message
Manchester City allowed the versatile star to head south in the summer and, despite being absent for periods due to injury, he remains a key figure. Zinchenko, having worked under Pep Guardiola, knows intricately the origins of the system Arteta is looking to implement.
The Ukrainian is one of the main brains behind the philosophy and Arteta was snapped having specific conversations on a one-on-one basis with the player. Zinchenko has largely been used as a left-back but can also slot in across other positions which offers the Gunners with several options, but he may be eased back rather than starting Sunday's game having only just returned from injury.
4. Competitive edge
It was the Saturday before a crucial clash on the Sunday, but you wouldn't have known it by how some of the squad members were going at it at training. William Saliba could be in for a busy afternoon at Stamford Bridge but he wasn't conserving any energy as he dealt with Arsenal's forward players.
He was seen getting particularly physical with Eddie Nketiah, who is likely to be a forward option from the bench. Aubameyang will be out to down his former club and Arteta has already talked up how challenging it will be facing the Gabon international.
5. Jesus eyeing top form once more
He has been Arsenal's most important arrival this term, but when a striker goes for a prolonged period without scoring questions will always be asked. Arteta will, rightly so, point to the overall impact of the Brazilian, but he is still without a goal since scoring against Tottenham on October 1.
Jesus has commanded a spot at the heart of the Arsenal attack, but will be desperate to add to his tally of five goals. He was looking sharp in training and will hope to carry that quality into Sunday's game, where he will again be under the microscope having missed chances in last weekend's draw at Southampton.
