Chelsea train ahead of Premier League showdown with Arsenal at the Emirates 

By Sunni Upal for MailOnline

Published: 10:44 EST, 24 April 2015 | Updated: 11:35 EST, 24 April 2015

Chelsea can take another step closer towards securing the Premier League title when they face Arsenal on Sunday, and Jose Mourinho's side stepped up their preparations for the Emirates showdown in training on Friday.

The league leaders were put through their paces at their Cobham training headquarters just a couple of days before a London derby against Arsene Wenger's side.

Mourinho has never lost to Wenger in 12 outings, and he will be hoping 13 is not unlucky as well on Sunday as his side look to extend their 10-point lead over the Gunners.

Chelsea trained at their base in Cobham on Friday ahead of their game against Arsenal

Chelsea trained at their base in Cobham on Friday ahead of their game against Arsenal

Chelsea's Spanish midfielder prepares to face his former club Arsenal at the weekend

Chelsea's Spanish midfielder prepares to face his former club Arsenal at the weekend

Didier Drogba has an excellent record against Arsenal and could start up front

Didier Drogba has an excellent record against Arsenal and could start up front

Cesc Fabregas will make his first return to the Emirates, but another of Chelsea's summer signings Diego Costa is a doubt for the clash due to injury.

That would mean Didier Drogba, who was seen training at Cobham on Friday, or Loic Remy could start up front for Chelsea at the Emirates.

At his press conference on Friday, Mourinho said: 'Didier for sure is good, is fine. Remy, not for sure. And Diego, let's make a decision tomorrow.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho takes charge of the training session at Cobham on Friday

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho takes charge of the training session at Cobham on Friday

Belgian star Eden Hazard is in line to be named PFA Player of the Year this weekend

Belgian star Eden Hazard is in line to be named PFA Player of the Year this weekend

Dominic Solanke is in reserve, having missed Chelsea's Under 21 team match on Thursday, and will be on the substitutes' bench as back-up to Drogba if Costa is not fit.

Costa has scored 19 Premier League goals this season, including one in the 2-0 win against Arsenal in October.

But Costa has missed the last two matches - wins against QPR and Manchester United - after a recurrence of the hamstring problems which have plagued him.

'He's a very important player for us, but the reality is we are coping with the difficulties of every match without him,' Mourinho added.

Teenage striker Dominic Solanke joined the first team for their training session at Cobham on Friday

Teenage striker Dominic Solanke joined the first team for their training session at Cobham on Friday

Youngster Solanke with Hazard in training ahead of the Arsenal game at the Emirates

Youngster Solanke with Hazard in training ahead of the Arsenal game at the Emirates

Mourinho has never lost to Arsene Wenger in 12 previous meetings between the pair

Mourinho has never lost to Arsene Wenger in 12 previous meetings between the pair

'We played amazingly well during the most part of the season, scoring a lot of goals and controlling games very well through the quality of our possession.

'In the last period we are more strategic, less artistic, but we are having results. I would love Diego to be back, but I trust the other people.'

Eden Hazard was also on target in the autumn home win over Arsenal.

The Belgium playmaker is expected to be crowned PFA Player of the Year on Sunday, but Mourinho insists collective honours are more important for Hazard.

Chelsea striker Drogba executes a sliding challenge on his team-mate Hazard as he tries to win the ball

Chelsea striker Drogba executes a sliding challenge on his team-mate Hazard as he tries to win the ball

Hazard gets physical with Brazilian Oscar during the training session on Friday at Cobham

Hazard gets physical with Brazilian Oscar during the training session on Friday at Cobham

Sport analysts BSports are predicting a tight match, with Arsenal slight favourites to beat Chelsea

Sport analysts BSports are predicting a tight match, with Arsenal slight favourites to beat Chelsea

The Blues boss also played down the prospect of Hazard moving to Real Madrid after the 24-year-old's idol Zinedine Zidane, now a coach at Real, lauded him this week.

Mourinho said: 'We just signed a new contract with him (until 2021). We didn't put a gun to his head. He had a lot of time to think about it.

'He made a commitment for the future of the team, signing a very good contract. I don't think he's interested in going.'

Mourinho recently said every player has a price.

Asked to put a figure on Hazard, he said: 'That's a good question. I have my idea about it.' 

Comments (23)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now