The Barclays Premier League season is set to begin with a bang when FA Cup champions Arsenal take on Premier League champions Chelsea for this year’s Community Shield. It’ll be interesting to see how a new-look Arsenal side face the defending league champions. The Gunners debut newly acquired goalkeeper Peter Cech, a former Chelsea player, in this match while a host of star players remain absent.
The Arsenal team taking the field at Wembley Stadium won’t be the same team that’ll be on the pitch for most of the Premier League season. The Gunners will miss star player Alexis Sanchez, David Ospina and Danny Welbeck in this Community Shield match. Sanchez and Ospina are late arrivals to Arsenal after playing in the Copa America over the summer. Meanwhile, Welbeck is still recovering from a knee injury suffered near the end of last season.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]With key pieces of the offense unable to take to the pitch against Chelsea, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger decided to place Theo Walcott in the striking role. Walcott was mostly a substitute last season, scoring five goals in 14 appearances (four starts). He was also excellent in his appearances in the FA Cup, scoring two goals in five appearances (two as a substitute).
While the Gunners may have less wallop in their strikes, they’ll have a pretty good defense to limit Chelsea’s attack. Petr Cech makes his Arsenal debut between the sticks in this match. Formerly from Chelsea, Cech was a three-time Premier League Golden Glove winner. He also once held the record for most minutes (1,025) without conceding a goal in the Premier League which he set during the 2004-05 season.
Cech will be playing behind a strong backline featuring Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Francis Coquelin. The Gunners conceded the third fewest goals (36) in the league last season.
Arsenal have won their last five matches across all competitions, including preseason matches.
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Betting on Chelsea
Chelsea are raring to defend their Premier League title this season. What better way to do that than a big win against FA Cup champions Arsenal at this year’s Community Shield? Chelsea are undefeated in their last five matches against Arsenal across all competitions (three wins, two draws).
Much like last year’s squad, Chelsea will ride their offense to win them games. Diego Costa remains Chelsea’s main man on the attack, scoring 20 goals last season. But Costa is doubtful heading into the Community Shield after a hamstring issue arose in a friendly against Barcelona.
Loic Remy could replace Costa up front after scoring eight goals across all competitions last season. Oscar could do so as well after a successful 2014-15 campaign, scoring six goals and assisting in eight others.
Don’t count out Chelsea just yet, they have a masterful midfield which could help Costa’s possible replacement score some goals. Cesc Fabregas finished with a league-best 18 assists last season, while Eden Hazard should draw defenders to him after scoring 19 goals in all competitions.
Writer’s Prediction
With both teams possibly failing to put their top offensive weapons on the pitch, expect the total to go under 2.5. Chelsea (+138) win the match 1-0.
