Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the star of the show in Arsenal’s one-nil victory as Arsene Wenger beat Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea for the first time in 13 attempts.
The 21-year old Englishman gave the Gunners the lead in front of their fans with a ferocious left-footed strike mid-way through the first half. Chamberlain started in place of Alexis Sanchez who was absent following an extended break after winning the Copa America with Chile.
Arsenal tasted success at Wembley just 64 days ago as they beat Aston Villa four-nil in the FA Cup final. The Gunners retain the Community Shield after beating Manchester City three-nil last time out, scoring against Chelsea for the first time in six matches.
Arsenal award start to Petr Cech against former side as Gunners impress during pre-season
Petr Cech made his competitive debut for Arsenal against his former side after sealing a £10 million move, after the Czech stopper spent 11-years at Chelsea. Hector Bellerin started ahead of fit again Mathieu Debuchy at right-back whilst Wenger opted for Theo Walcott to lead the line ahead of Olivier Giroud.
Mourinho opted for Belgian stopper Thibaut Courtois ahead of summer signing Asmir Begovic after the former Stoke City stopper conceded four goals in pre-season against New York Red Bulls. Falcao was awaiting his first start, with Mourinho starting Loic Remy ahead of the Colombian.
Arsenal came into the game in better form, winning the Singapore Cup against Everton whilst their annual Emirates Cup resulted in a 6-0 win against Lyon and a victory over Bundesliga runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg. Chelsea on the other hand suffered a defeat to New York Red Bulls, whist drawing against both PSG and Barcelona – winning on penalties on both occasions.
High-octane start from Arsenal almost leads to early opener against Chelsea
It was Arsenal who started on the front foot when Aaron Ramsey drove forward in the opening minute, finding Chamberlain on the right, forcing Courtois to punch the ball away.
Cesc Fabregas went down under the tackle of Per Mertesacker in the penalty area, but the Spaniard deemed to have tumbled too easily after Anthony Taylor waved away the Chelsea appeals.
Chelsea started to pile on the pressure, but the Premier League champions were unable to make anything of it as the Gunners came forward in numbers. Known for their one touch football, Arsenal turned on the style after 17 minutes, Nacho Monreal, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla all linking up on the edge of the area before Gary Cahill cleared Chelsea’s lines.
Arsenal came forward again when Branislav Ivanovic brought down Cazorla on the edge of the area – Ozil floated the free-kick in which was met by the head of Walcott, forcing Courtois into a save after 20 minutes.
Chamberlain fires the gunners in front
Walcott was involved again minutes later as play switched from the left-flank. The Englishman, on the edge of the box found Chamberlain on the right of the area, who cut inside before wrapping his left-foot around the ball, finding the top corner of Courtois’ net.
A blistering counter-attack from Arsenal almost led to another goal from Chamberlain – 10 minutes after his opening goal. The 21-year old got the better of the Chelsea defence before a crunching tackle from Cesar Azpilicueta stopped the Englishman’s efforts.
Ramires almost scored the equaliser for Chelsea after getting on the end of Remy’s cross. Mourinho not pleased as the Portuguese imitated the Brazilian’s effort from the technical area.
A renewed rivalry? Mourinho first to blink under pressure
Arsenal started to regain control of the game as Ramsey came close to doubling Arsenal’s lead – The Welshman could only find the side netting after latching on to Monreal’s pass. Minutes later, Chelsea were caught on the counter-attack yet again. Bellerin drove at the Chelsea defence finding Chamberlain, who’s first touch took the ball away from him, but the winger was still able to find a cross which was met by the head of Ramsey.
Mourinho was the first to blink as he brought on Falcao in place of Remy. The Colombian made an almost impact before seeing his curling effort blocked. Oscar then replaced Ramires just seven minutes into the second-half as Chelsea looked to freshen things up.
A ball over the top from Fabregas found Falcao but Cech read the danger as the Arsenal stopper looked at ease against his former club.
Lacklusture performance from Eden Hazard
The Spaniard was involved again as his reverse pass found Eden Hazard inside the box, with the goal at his mercy, the Belgian was unable to hit the target from 10 yards, blazing his effort high over Cech’s bar.
Giroud replaced Walcott midway through the first-half, almost scoring with his first touch. The Arsenal forward was unmarked at the far post – ball whipped in by Chamberlain had Courtois scrambling.
Francis Coquelin brought down Falcao on the edge of the area which the referee deemed card-worthy, Oscar wrapped his foot around the ball, which would have gone in if it wasn’t for the magnificent Cech.
Giroud had only been on the pitch for five minutes before his third effort almost doubled Arsenal’s lead. Another counter-attack from the Gunners found the Frenchman, who pulled away from his marker, but the 28-year old blazed his effort over.
Chelsea had plenty of chances to find an equaliser in the closing five minutes through Zouma and Oscasr, but of which amounted to nothing as Wembley was red yet again.
Chamberlain's strike gives Arsenal momentum going into their season opener against West Ham, whilst Chelsea have one last friendly against Fiorentina at Stamford Bridge, as they look to turn their fortunes around.