Community Shield: Arsenal vs Chelsea preview

After being victorious in the first FA Women’s Cup Final hosted at Wembley, the men’s side could make it a double this weekend with a win in the season’s traditional curtain raiser. This is Chelsea’s first Community Shield at Wembley since 2010, with the 2012 match vs Man City being played at Villa Park due to the Olympics, whereas Arsenal faced the Citizens last year. And while most may see this as an over-glorified friendly, it’s a chance for silverware at Wembley this early in the season, plus when it’s Chelsea against Arsenal, and Mourinho against Wenger, it’s very rarely friendly.

This game has yet another dimension added to it, with Petr Cech, a Chelsea hero on too many an occasion to list, likely to make his full Arsenal debut against his old side. On the other side of the fence, Cesc Fabregas plays once more against the side he once captained. It’s often said, but the receptions the two players will receive will be opposite ends of the spectrum. And whilst the game might not be taken too seriously on the pitch, off of it, the chance for early London bragging rights are always looked forward to, even if it is only the Shield.

Source: chelseafc.com

Chelsea will in all likelihood be without Costa and Cahill, with a hamstring twinge and a broken nose respectively against Barcelona in Washington DC, I can’t see Jose Mourinho wanting to risk either in what he considers worth less than the opening fixture on Saturday against Swansea, despite what he said to the press on Friday. However, the majority of the side will probably be as full strength as possible, with the last friendly at home to Fiorentina on Wednesday a chance to give any players who don’t get a run out today some minutes. Begovic may get the nod today, as Courtois played the full 90 against Barca, whereas previously Mourinho had given both keepers one half each. Azpilicueta is bound to start, with Chelsea having no other left backs in the squad, with John Terry and Kurt Zouma in central defence, and Ivanovic at Right Back. In the middle, one would presume it will be Matic and Fabregas behind Hazard on the left and Oscar in the 10. On the right wing, however, is where it will be most interesting, with Victor Moses being immensely impressive in pre-season so far, however Willian and Cuadrado may be in with a shout. And finally, up front, Radamel Falcao may make his proper debut for Chelsea, but favourite to start is probably Loic Remy, due to him getting more pre-season gametime. However, Jose may have been telling the truth, and we may see Costa and Cahill (complete with mask) line up at 3pm today.

Finally, the one real worry I have, is the fact that we arrived in London on Thursday morning, straight after our game against Barcelona, and jetlag may be a concern. In these days of sports science, especially with frequent games in Eastern Europe, this shouldn’t be a worry, but when you consider how long Arsenal have been here in comparison, having played the Emirates Cup last weekend, they may be more settled. They also started their pre-season well in advance of us, so they might be more fit and raring to go.

However, in truth, the result today isn’t of massive concern. Of course I want Chelsea to win, but a good performance and getting through the 90 minutes without any injuries would make me happy enough. Indeed, I have a galling feeling that Arsenal will win on penalties with Petr Cech, OUR Petr Cech, performing the heroics. The main thing about today, is that football, proper football, is back. And how I have missed it so.