Arsene Wenger has said that he does not see facing Chelsea as a "personal battle" with Jose Mourinho.
Leaders Arsenal, who sit just two points ahead of Mourinho's side in the Premier League table, host their London rivals on Monday evening.
The manager told the club's official website: "It's not a personal battle [with Jose Mourinho]. Honestly, we had some big games in the past, but what is important for me is that I am completely focused on Arsenal Football Club and on my team and doing well in the team.
"Whether we play Monday night against Chelsea or anybody else, for me it's exactly the same, because what is at stake for us is to get back to winning habits, whether it's Chelsea or anyone else.
"Our relationship is respectful. We spent time [together] at Geneva at the managers' meeting. Once you are in competition it is different. Once you are out of competition, everybody is different. Here is competition time so everybody fights for his team and his club."
When the teams met in the League Cup earlier in the season, Chelsea clinched a 2-0 win.