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Chelsea registered a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates in the first outing of the Mind Series, thanks to goals on either side of half-time from Kai Havertz and Tammy Abraham.
Thomas Tuchel's outfit were the more threatening side in what was a fierce derby clash. Havertz broke free in the first 45 courtesy of a smashing pass from Timo Werner, while Abraham capitalised on a collective mistake by Arsenal.
Granit Xhaka headed home Arsenal's only goal of the game in the 69th minute. Most importantly, the game was played at a fine tempo, which is perhaps how it should be for teams gearing up for the new season.
On that note, we shall have a rundown of the major talking points from the tightly-contested friendly between Chelsea and Arsenal.
#1 Tuchel recalls big stars in a Chelsea back three
With just about two weeks to go for the Premier League, both managers named a strong starting XI with clear instructions - to dust off pre-season rustiness.
Tuchel recalled Edouard Mendy into the line-up, with Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma and Trevoh Chalobah ahead of him. He experimented with Callum Hudson-Odoi at left-wing back.
The youngster, running at defenders from his favoured left-hand side whenever Chelsea pushed bodies forward, looked at his threatening best. The moment in the first-half where he floored Pablo Mari with his trickery and failed to apply the finishing touche demonstrated exactly what Hudson-Odoi is - an explosive winger who requires some fine-tuning.
Christian Pulisic being played as right-wing back clearly signalled Chelsea's attacking intent. The German duo of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz also returned to the XI. They were partnered by Hakim Ziyech.
With just one friendly to go before the UEFA Super Cup, Tuchel looked visibly keen to get his main men firing on the pitch.
#2 Arsenal's high line backfires as Havertz scores
Arsenal did step out and cause Chelsea some problems, especially through Kieran Tierney and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang down the left. They constantly set each other off on the overlap, exploiting Chelsea's high line.
However, it was the West London-based side that drew first blood with Arsenal trying to push forward. Superiority in strength and technical ability in midfield led to multiple Chelsea breakaways, the most important leading to Havertz's goal.
With Timo Werner in acres of space down the left, you just knew what was coming. We've seen it many a time in the Champions League and FA Cup the typical Werner square pass to the wingers.
He found his compatriot, who picked up from where he left off in the Champions League final. Havertz took a touch forward, shifted the ball onto his right and found the roof of the net with a ruthless strike.
One gets the feeling he is going to have a huge season under Tuchel.
#3 Chelsea the more creative side in rehearsal game
The scoreline may suggest a narrow win for Chelsea, but the Blues enjoyed lots of control and captivating passages of play against their cross-city rivals.
They churned out chance after chance, but failed to add gloss to what was an exuberant performance. Hakim Ziyech, who sprayed wonderful passes across the field, ran in behind a high Arsenal back line, chipped the ball over Bernd Leno but overplayed it when all he had to do was pass the ball into an unguarded net.
Hudson-Odoi struck Leno's head with a shot, while Baba Rehman and Malang Sarr skied their efforts. Abraham, too, could have easily had another goal.
Chelsea were, by the far more creative side on the day. They played around Arsenal's defensive setup and managed to carve open chances which went abegging. Perhaps that's why Tuchel and Co. are desperate to sign a proven goalscorer.
#4 Chelsea survive late Arsenal scare to claim win
We've seen it numerous times in the last couple of years with Chelsea - they create chances but do not seal the deal and are eventually knocked back by a moment of magic from the opposition.
Arsenal did the same, as Granit Xhaka rose above the rest to head home the equalizer off a Nicolas Pepe cross.
The Gunners' defensive miseries worsened when N'Golo Kante came on. He first won the ball back just outside the box when Leno tried to cushion a pass to Xhaka. Poor decision-making from Ross Barkley cost Chelsea another chance.
But Kante was there to counter-press and win the ball back, before Abraham effortlessly put the ball into the back of the net.
#5 This London derby was a tale of two midfielders
This London derby was the perfect stage for the likes of Thomas Partey and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Both have come into the pre-season with a point to prove. Partey carried the good form he displayedagainst Hibernian and Rangers into this game.
The former Atletico Madrid man threaded a couple of beautiful through-balls to Aubameyang on the left flank.
Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, looked at his physical best as he shrugged off challenges and drove forward with purpose. N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho all provide different skillsets to Chelsea's midfield. Loftus-Cheek could add a powerful, penetrative one should he get enough chances this term.
Both Partey and Loftus-Cheek went shoulder-to-shoulder in the middle, with the latter's challenge forcing the Arsenal man to hobble off.
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