The FA Community Shield: Arsenal rekindles fierce rivalry with Chelsea

 

The Premier League season kicks-off this Sunday as Arsenal lock horn with Chelsea at the 93rd Community Shield clash after both the teams return from their pre-season tours.

FA Cup winners Arsenal meet Premier League champions Chelsea in the traditional FA Community Shield on Sunday 2 August 2 at Wembley Stadium.

Gunners, current holders, face their fieriest London rivals, Chelsea.

Arsene Wenger’s side secured their place by beating Aston Villa 4-0 in The FA Cup final last month.

While Chelsea had an eight-point cushion over second placed Manchester City as Jose Mourinho secured his first Premier League title since returning to the Stamford Bridge in 2013.

The Gunners are the third most successful team in the history of the FA Charity Shield after Manchester United (20) and Liverpool (15). The North Londoners have won the cup 13 times in contrast to Chelsea’s four triumphs. Last time when these two sides met in this annual event in 2005, Chelsea defeated the Gunners 2 – 1.

Arsenal defeated former Premier League champions Manchester City 2–1 last season to lift the 2014 Community Shield but this time, the Gunners are up for a tougher test against Mourinho’s Chelsea.

Petr Cech will be putting on his first Arsenal shirt against his former club. The brilliant shot stopper won almost all the major laurels with the Blues before losing his place to Belgian keeper Thirbaut Courtois. The 33-year-old moved to Chelsea’s rivals, as he prefers to remain in London because of his family and also proof himself to his former boss Jose Mourinho.

Football pundits have argued that Cech’s move to Arsenal have made London side real title contenders and Cech experience will be crucial for Arsene Wenger’s men. Chelsea skipper, John Terry believes that his former teammate can even save up to 12 or 15 points for his new team.

“There’s talk of Arsenal signing Petr Cech and, if they do get him, he will strengthen them for sure. He will save them 12 or 15 points a season,” Terry said.

Cech also brings in his winning mentality to the squad, which could also be infectious. His presence in between the sticks and in the dressing room will certainly boost the confidence level of the squad and the manager.

In their last five matches in all competitions, including the pre-season games, the Gunners have won each of them, except losing to The New York Red Bulls in the International Champions Cup in the United States.

But Jose mourinho’s Chelsea are way ahead of their arch rivals when we compare the last five head to head clashes. The Blues have had the upper hand in three out of five encounters and the Gunners have failed to record a single victory.

However, Mourinho, believes Wenger’s side can challenge for the title this season on the back of their spending over the last two years.

“If you add up the amounts clubs have spent in the last three or four years, I think maybe you will find a surprise,” the Portuguese said.

“If you put Mesut Ozil plus Alexis Sanchez, plus Calum Chambers, plus Mathieu Debuchy, you will find a surprise.

“It’s a fantastic squad with good players, fantastic goalkeeper, they are more than ready to be title contenders.”

Money raised from the Community Shield will be disbursed to charities and good causes across England with clubs competing in last season’s FA Cup first round and beyond eligible to nominate organisations to receive a £2,000 payment from The FA.

Arsenal and Chelsea will pocket £25,000 for a charity or good cause of their choice.

Both clubs will have an allocation of around 26,000 tickets for the Premier league fixture.

 

Anthony Nlebem