João Pedro demands intensity as Chelsea prepare for Arsenal derby decider

João Pedro has made Chelsea’s approach clear ahead of their decisive London derby with Arsenal, insisting intensity and work-rate must rise if the Blues are to overturn a one goal deficit.

Speaking to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte before the return leg, the Chelsea forward framed the clash as one that demands clarity rather than noise. The message inside the squad, he explained, is simple: focus on the task, accept the physical challenge, and leave everything else aside.

João Pedro acknowledged the scale of the occasion, stressing that derbies strip matches back to fundamentals.

“The expectation is always high. It is a London derby,” João Pedro said. “I think both them and us will go into the game to win, regardless of the last result.”

With Chelsea trailing by a single goal, he admitted that the physical demands will be higher.

“Of course we have to run a bit more because we are one goal down,” he added. “But I believe it will be a great game, a great spectacle, and may the best team win.”

That emphasis on effort reflects a broader theme around Chelsea’s season: progress is visible, but margins remain fine.

Asked about contact with Arsenal’s Brazilian contingent, João Pedro made it clear that familiarity is temporarily put on hold when a derby arrives.

“When it is match week here, we do not talk that much, because we know the rivalry that exists on the pitch,” he said. “I believe talking is already too much.”

There are no bets, no distractions, and little room for sentiment. At most, João Pedro suggested, there may be light-hearted moments in the tunnel or warm-up — but nothing beyond that.

For Chelsea, the derby strips away everything but competition.

Beyond Arsenal, João Pedro was pressed on Chelsea’s wider schedule and the potential of facing Paris Saint-Germain again in the Champions League.

His response underlined a deliberate effort to block out noise.

“I take it one day at a time,” he explained. “Of course I have seen the draw and the possibility of facing PSG again, but I believe everyone in the team is very calm.”

The message internally is to avoid projecting too far ahead.

“Tomorrow we have another important game against Arsenal. We live one day at a time,” João Pedro said, also hinting that consistency in domestic competition remains a priority.

Only after addressing the derby did João Pedro reflect on his standout goals for Chelsea, including strikes against Fluminense, PSG and Napoli.

“Choosing one is a bit complicated,” he admitted. “All the goals I put in my top three have their own importance.”

He did, however, single out his effort against Napoli as the most difficult.

“The goal against Napoli was certainly the hardest. It was from outside the box and with my non-dominant foot.”

According to João Pedro, the element of surprise was decisive.

“I really believe nobody expected it. That is what the position is about. Sometimes you have to surprise the defender and the goalkeeper. This time, I surprised everyone.”

Chelsea now turn fully toward Arsenal, knowing that intensity and discipline will define whether their campaign takes another step forward. For João Pedro and his teammates, the equation is clear: run more, think less, and let everything else wait.