Arsenal won the Community Shield last year and defended the trophy, which is played between the winners of the FA Cup and the Premier League, against Chelsea. PHOTO: AFP
The England midfielder struck in the 24th minute at a sun-soaked Wembley Stadium to break Mourinho’s longstanding hold over his French rival and give Arsenal hope of a sustained assault on Chelsea’s Premier League title.
While Chelsea improved in the second half, they could not find a way past their former goalkeeper Petr Cech, who registered a clean sheet as his new club claimed their 13th outright Community Shield.
Wenger will be mindful that a 3-0 win over Manchester City in last season’s Community Shield was not followed by a convincing title bid, but with Cech already looking at home and Mourinho no longer able to boast a spotless record against him, he will approach next weekend’s opening league fixtures with belief fully intact.
Chelsea’s team-sheet suggested that Diego Costa is not yet free of the hamstring problems that plagued him last season, with Loic Remy leading the line in the Spain striker’s absence and new signing Radamel Falcao on the bench.
Questions about the reaction that Cech would receive from the fans of his old club were answered quickly, a standing ovation greeting him as he jogged over to the goal at the Chelsea end prior to kick-off.
Wenger unveiled a new shape that saw Oxlade-Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla line up on either flank, allowing Aaron Ramsey to take up his favoured central role alongside Francis Coquelin.
With Mesut Ozil shadowing lone striker Theo Walcott, who signed a new four-year contract on Friday, Arsenal were able to cluster men around the ball both in and out of possession, swarming around Chelsea’s midfielders to win the ball back before zipping quick passes between each other.
Walcott created Arsenal’s opener in the 24th minute with a pass wide to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who cut inside Cesar Azpilicueta and lashed home left-footed.
It was Arsenal’s first goal against Chelsea in 506 minutes of football.
Arsenal sat back but had the better chances, but Olivier Giroud blasted wide before Santi Cazorla and Kieran Gibbs both missed golden opportunities when they shot straight at Courtois while clean through on goal.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2015.
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