Arsenal FC Defeat Chelsea FC 1-0, Lift FA Community Shield
For some, it felt like just yesterday Chelsea FC were celebrating their fifth Barclays Premier League title. Others have been counting down the days until competitive football would be played again. Whatever side you found yourself on, the Blues would be back in action, facing London rivals and FA Cup champions Arsenal for the FA Community shield.
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Loic Remy and Ramires, two players who are sure to play an important bench role for the club this season would get the opportunity to start. Former longtime Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech would also get the start, making his competitive debut for the Gunners against the club where he had so much success.
The first moment of note came in the ninth minute when Cesc Fabregas was taken down inside the penalty area by Per Mertesacker. Fabregas stayed down on the pitch for a few moments while penalty protests were ignored.
Thibaut Courtois was forced into action in the 28th minute, when a glancing header from Theo Walcott was sent buzzing towards goal. The ever-steady goalkeeper was calm though, making the simple save.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would get the first goal of the game, and put Arsenal ahead by doing so. The winger received a pass with an opportunity to go one-on-one with Cesar Azpilicueta. After a series of moves, he cut back inside, and fired a shot to the far post. Courtois’ big frame wasn’t enough to keep the shot out, and the fans in red were sent into a frenzy.
A golden chance was missed in the 37th minute when Ramires couldn’t get a point-blank header on target. The midfielder got himself in a good position, but got the header all wrong, not even forcing the slightest of flinches from Cech.
Arsenal would go into the dressing rooms with a 1-0 lead, and looked good value for it. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal being the difference between the two.
A welcome sight for Chelsea fans, new signing Radamel Falcao would make his debut for the club, wearing the number nine shirt. The forward came on for Loic Remy, who showed flashes during the opening stages, but couldn’t really get involved with the flow of the game and found himself offside on multiple occassions.
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Eden Hazard had a chance to level things in the 61st minute, but sent his shot sailing over the bar. The winger was presented with a golden opportunity inside the penalty area, but uncharacteristically couldn’t put his effort on target.
Oscar then nearly got his name on the score sheet with his effort from a free kick, but Cech would show ability the fans in blue know all too well by keeping the shot out with a diving save. Chelsea once again had an opportunity, but couldn’t level the score.
The Gunners nearly locked things up in the 86th minute when Santi Cazorla had a one-on-one with Courtois, but his effort was weak, and easily (considering the circumstances) kept out.
Courtois would be called into action once more, this time making a brilliant save that denied Kieran Gibbs from settling the game.
The match would finish 1-0 to Arsenal, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being the hero on the day. Petr Cech would keep a clean sheet, and play a huge part in helping defeat his former club. Arsene Wenger would also get one over on rival Jose Mourinho, and the trophy presentation would surely be a sweet one for him.
MOTM: Petr Cech- The goalkeeper made multiple important saves en route to keeping a clean sheet, and was the main factor in Arsenal winning the FA Community Shield.