Monday, 3 August 2015

Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea: 5 things we learnt as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain strike secures Community Shield victory


Mikel Arteta lifts the Community Shield with Per Mertesacker

Arsenal got the bragging rights over Chelsea with a 1-0 win in the Community Shield at Wembley.

Oxlade-Chamberlain got the only goal of the game at Wembley as Arsene Wenger tasted success over Jose Mourinho for the first time in 14 attempts

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got the only goal of the game as he fired past Thibaut Courtois and into the top corner during the first half.

It brought to an end Arsene Wenger's winless run against Jose Mourinho in the 14 games between the pair.

There was a familiar face in goal for the Gunners too with Petr Cech impressive against the club where he won just avout everything.

Here are five things we learnt from the clash.

Cech's Chelsea relationship will never wane

Petr Cech warms upAction
Return: Cech warms up pre-match 

Prior to his first appearance against his former club, it was questioned what sort of reception Petr Cech would receive from the Chelsea support.

The 33-year-old had won every single thing he possibly could at Stamford Bridge and rightly gained legendary status in west London.

He wanted to go though and although Jose Mourinho would have wished otherwise, he travelled across the capital to join Chelsea's fiercest rivals.

But as he took to the goal in front of Chelsea's fans, it was evident just how highly he will always be thought of at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues fans sang Frank Lampard's name after he scored against them last season and Cech got a similar reception at Wembley.

A man of the match, winning performance wouldn't change that either....would it?

Oxlade-Chamberlain raring to go

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates with Santi CazorlaMark Pain/REX
Delight: Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates with Santi Cazorla 

Now in its fifth full season, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's Arsenal career is at a crossroads.

There have been plenty of impressive performances during those campaigns, but usually flanked by disappointing displays as his inconsistency continues to stop him nailing down a regular starting berth.

But could this be the campaign where the England man fulfills his potential and becomes a key figure at the Emirates?

An excellent display against Lyon in the Emirates Cup last week got the ball rolling but the opening goal at Wembley will have really pushed him to the forefront of Arsene Wenger's plans.

After cutting inside Cesar Azpilicueta, Oxlade-Chamberlain unleashed a fine left-footed drive - which Thibaut Courtois barely saw as it flew into the top corner.

The 21-year-old looks rejuvenated ahead of the new season and will be backing himself to start against West Ham next week.

The problem comes when Alexis Sanchez returns to full fitness, with the Chilean one of the first names on Arsene Wenger's team-sheet, but Oxlade-Chamberlain is doing plenty of things right at the moment.

Community Shield DOES matter

Cesc Fabregas down injuredReuters / Dylan Martinez
Crunched: Fabregas goes down injured 

Still billed as a friendly match, many Community Shield clashes have lacked the competitive edge in recent years.

Let's not forget the Manchester City second string that were royally walloped by Arsenal last season.

But when there are rivals like these two going at it, there may as well be three points up for grabs.

With both sides at almost full-strength, the Wembley clash started at a high tempo with tackles flying in all over the place.

First Ramires smashed into Mesut Ozil's midrift before Arsenal's new destroyer Francis Coquelin left Cesc Fabregas in a heap on the deck - and the whole idea of a friendly had gone out the window.

Given it was Messrs Mourinho and Wenger going head-to-head, this one was never going to be lacking a spark, was it?

Wenger gets it right...at last

Jose Mourinho in front of the Arsenal dug outMark Pain/REX
The bosses: Wenger and Mourinho watch on 

Much has been made of Arsene Wenger's failure to beat Jose Mourinho. 13 games and counting pre-match.

Jose will no doubt point to the fact that this wasn't a competitive encounter but Wenger has finally overcome his long-term foe.

And his decision to start Theo Walcott over Olivier Giroud was pivotal to Arsenal getting the result.

While the England forward wasn't greatly involved, he did provide the assist for Oxlade-Chamberlain and gave John Terry and Gary Cahill a busy afternoon.

The pair have always kept Giroud quiet in games against him, intercepting long balls into his feet or chest and not giving him a seconds' peace.

But Walcott's pace caused a completely new set of problems with the not-so pacey Chelsea duo having to drop deeper to counteract his threat.

Maybe Arsene has found the winning formula against Chelsea at last?

Costa's return can't come soon enough

Diego Costa looks on prior to the matchRichard Heathcote - The FA
Missing out: Diego Costa looks on prior to the match 

Chelsea played out the end of last season without their main striker - and could start the new one without him too.

Jose Mourinho confirmed the Spaniard "felt some discomfort" in his hamstring and wasn't risked at Wembley.

But Chelsea can't get their bustling No.19 on the pitch soon enough.

Loic Remy got the nod ahead of Radamel Falcao and ran around for 45 minutes, most of them leading to offside, and not a lot else.

Radamel Falcao replaced him - and didn't offer too much more.

Costa's all action displays were vital to Chelsea going clear at the top by the spring and his absence was evident as Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny had a pretty easy afternoon.

Chelsea face Norwich on the opening weekend and should be fine with Remy or Falcao but you'd bet Alex Neil will be delighted if Costa is absent from the team sheet once again.

Who will win the 2015/16 Premier League title?

Here are five things we learnt from the clash.

Cech's Chelsea relationship will never wane

Petr Cech warms upAction
Return: Cech warms up pre-match 

Prior to his first appearance against his former club, it was questioned what sort of reception Petr Cech would receive from the Chelsea support.

The 33-year-old had won every single thing he possibly could at Stamford Bridge and rightly gained legendary status in west London.

He wanted to go though and although Jose Mourinho would have wished otherwise, he travelled across the capital to join Chelsea's fiercest rivals.

But as he took to the goal in front of Chelsea's fans, it was evident just how highly he will always be thought of at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues fans sang Frank Lampard's name after he scored against them last season and Cech got a similar reception at Wembley.

A man of the match, winning performance wouldn't change that either....would it?

Oxlade-Chamberlain raring to go

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates with Santi CazorlaMark Pain/REX
Delight: Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates with Santi Cazorla 

Now in its fifth full season, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's Arsenal career is at a crossroads.

There have been plenty of impressive performances during those campaigns, but usually flanked by disappointing displays as his inconsistency continues to stop him nailing down a regular starting berth.

But could this be the campaign where the England man fulfills his potential and becomes a key figure at the Emirates?

An excellent display against Lyon in the Emirates Cup last week got the ball rolling but the opening goal at Wembley will have really pushed him to the forefront of Arsene Wenger's plans.

After cutting inside Cesar Azpilicueta, Oxlade-Chamberlain unleashed a fine left-footed drive - which Thibaut Courtois barely saw as it flew into the top corner.

The 21-year-old looks rejuvenated ahead of the new season and will be backing himself to start against West Ham next week.

The problem comes when Alexis Sanchez returns to full fitness, with the Chilean one of the first names on Arsene Wenger's team-sheet, but Oxlade-Chamberlain is doing plenty of things right at the moment.

Community Shield DOES matter

Cesc Fabregas down injuredReuters / Dylan Martinez
Crunched: Fabregas goes down injured 

Still billed as a friendly match, many Community Shield clashes have lacked the competitive edge in recent years.

Let's not forget the Manchester City second string that were royally walloped by Arsenal last season.

But when there are rivals like these two going at it, there may as well be three points up for grabs.

With both sides at almost full-strength, the Wembley clash started at a high tempo with tackles flying in all over the place.

First Ramires smashed into Mesut Ozil's midrift before Arsenal's new destroyer Francis Coquelin left Cesc Fabregas in a heap on the deck - and the whole idea of a friendly had gone out the window.

Given it was Messrs Mourinho and Wenger going head-to-head, this one was never going to be lacking a spark, was it?

Wenger gets it right...at last

Jose Mourinho in front of the Arsenal dug outMark Pain/REX
The bosses: Wenger and Mourinho watch on 

Much has been made of Arsene Wenger's failure to beat Jose Mourinho. 13 games and counting pre-match.

Jose will no doubt point to the fact that this wasn't a competitive encounter but Wenger has finally overcome his long-term foe.

And his decision to start Theo Walcott over Olivier Giroud was pivotal to Arsenal getting the result.

While the England forward wasn't greatly involved, he did provide the assist for Oxlade-Chamberlain and gave John Terry and Gary Cahill a busy afternoon.

The pair have always kept Giroud quiet in games against him, intercepting long balls into his feet or chest and not giving him a seconds' peace.

But Walcott's pace caused a completely new set of problems with the not-so pacey Chelsea duo having to drop deeper to counteract his threat.

Maybe Arsene has found the winning formula against Chelsea at last?

Costa's return can't come soon enough

Diego Costa looks on prior to the matchRichard Heathcote - The FA
Missing out: Diego Costa looks on prior to the match 

Chelsea played out the end of last season without their main striker - and could start the new one without him too.

Jose Mourinho confirmed the Spaniard "felt some discomfort" in his hamstring and wasn't risked at Wembley.

But Chelsea can't get their bustling No.19 on the pitch soon enough.

Loic Remy got the nod ahead of Radamel Falcao and ran around for 45 minutes, most of them leading to offside, and not a lot else.

Radamel Falcao replaced him - and didn't offer too much more.

Costa's all action displays were vital to Chelsea going clear at the top by the spring and his absence was evident as Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny had a pretty easy afternoon.

Chelsea face Norwich on the opening weekend and should be fine with Remy or Falcao but you'd bet Alex Neil will be delighted if Costa is absent from the team sheet once again.

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