Arsenal vs. Chelsea Preview
Where: Wembley Stadium – London, England
When: Sunday, August 6, 2017, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Arsenal +220 vs. Chelsea +106, tie +220; total 2.5 – view all 2017 Community Shield lines
TV Broadcast: Fox Sports 1
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Betting on Arsenal (+220)
Arsenal denied Chelsea the league and cup double as they beat the Blues in last year’s FA Cup final, 2-1. The entire team that played in that final will be available for Arsene Wenger at the Community Shield. That includes star striker Alexis Sanchez, who is still at the club despite speculation of a possible transfer.
Alexis scored the opening goal in the final after just four minutes. He also opened the scoring in the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Chelsea at the Emirates last season, which resulted in Chelsea changing formation that ultimately helped them run away with the Premier League title.
He’ll likely be joined up front by the Gunners’ big summer signing, striker Alexandre Lacazette. The former Lyon front man opened his Arsenal account with a goal in the team’s final preseason game against Sevilla.
Wenger famously took a page out of Chelsea’s playbook as he switched to a back three at the tail-end of last season, including the final. It should be reasonable to expect him to field that formation once again at Wembley.
Wembley has been a very happy hunting ground for Wenger and the Gunners. They have won their last seven matches at Wembley, the longest ever winning streak by a club at the famous stadium. Arsenal has also won six of their eight Community Shields under Wenger.
Betting on Chelsea (+106)
Despite their defeat in the FA Cup final, last season should still be considered a rousing success for Chelsea. Antonio Conte masterfully led the Blues back to the top of the Premier League in his very first season in charge. His move to go three at the back was a stroke of genius as it transformed their defense into one of the best in the league.
However, his first-choice team underwent a couple of key changes during the summer. Veteran midfielder Nemanja Matic was sold off to Manchester United and will likely be replaced by 22-year-old Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco. Meanwhile, outgoing striker Diego Costa—Chelsea’s leading scorer with 20 goals last season—is also set to leave.
Conte has a choice to make in terms of who to start up front against Arsenal. Big-money signing Alvaro Morata is an option, but Michy Batshuayi had a great offseason as he scored three goals in three games, including two against an understrength Arsenal side.
Whoever starts at striker should be a handful for Arsenal’s backline, but the Blues’ attack will miss the inspirational Eden Hazard, who was second on the team behind Costa with 16 goals. The Belgian fractured his ankle while on international duty, and his speed and creativity will be very difficult to replace.
Writer’s Prediction
Arsenal (+220) gets another one over on its London rivals at Wembley as the Gunners get the 2-1 win.
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