Chelsea FC 0-1 Arsenal: FA Community Shield Reflections
Work-Rate and Commitment
In spite of Ramires’ limited creative input and his tendency to commit rash challenges (the fact that he wasn’t booked in the time that he was on the pitch was the biggest indication that Sunday’s game was simply just a friendly) and Willian’s limited goals and assists return, Sunday’s game showed why both players are still favourites of Jose Mourinho.
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The match may have been a glorified run-out, but both players showed as much commitment as they would have done in more important competitions. Willian was clearly Chelsea’s best player on the day, closing down opposition and showing a willingness to run at the Arsenal players every time he was on the ball. At one point he almost got himself injured when he collided with the on-rushing Gary Cahill while trying to stop an attack by Santi Cazorla down the right (Cahill got a bloodied nose for his effort when he hit his face on the turf!).
Ramires, meanwhile, was on hand to head Chelsea’s best chance in the first half wide after starting a move from midfield that led to the cross from Loic Remy. He was also close again with another strike from just outside the box that narrowly missed the bottom corner with Petr Cech well-beaten.
Furthermore, he was the only player that showed a willingness to match Arsenal physically, although he should have at least received a booking for one of his three rash challenges on the day (his stamp on Cazorla’s ankle, his boot into Mesut Ozil’s midsection and another late tackle on Ozil).
Mourinho instills the spirit of commitment to all facets of play, and both players exemplified those traits the most of all the Chelsea team.
Next: Limited Creativity