The Community Shield is the first real footballing event of any new season.
For all the hype around overseas friendlies, this is the true test – a benchmark from which we can begin to make predictions about the upcoming campaign.
Arsenal got fans talking of a title charge after a relatively comfortable 1-0 win, and here’s how it played out on social media.
It all began with some vintage Jose Mourinho mind-games…
Jose Mourinho says Diego Costa and Gary Cahill are both available for Sunday's game. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 31, 2015
Diego Costa not even in the squad, presumably for hammy-knack.
— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) August 2, 2015
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave Arsenal the lead in some style midway through the first half, and their fans remained their usual grounded selves.
https://twitter.com/gunnerblog/status/627847564629516288
Chelsea were visibly struggling to find a cutting edge in front of goal, with Loic Remy struggling to fill the void left by Costa’s injury-enforced absence and Chelsea supporters concerned by their team’s impotence.
The response from Chelsea was to introduce Falcao.
Have to say, Arsenal actually playing very well in defense and attack. Ramires and Willian the only bright spots for us. Poor.
— Rhys 🏴 (@RuhBuhJuh) August 2, 2015
Falcao is coming on. They might as well us blow for full time and give us the shield now… #falcao #CommunityShield #ARSVCHE
— Goonersaurus (@Ronaldlin) August 2, 2015
Chelsea had a great opportunity to draw level on the hour and it fell to the man they would have hoped.
Unfortunately, Premier League player of the year Eden Hazard was off balance when he pulled the trigger and his shot sailed over the crossbar.
The ball from that Hazard miss has been recovered from somewhere in Northern Uganda….
— Nyalango (@Victoria_amongi) August 2, 2015
Arsenal were enjoying the sight of Petr Cech between the posts, but in truth the former Chelsea keeper was rarely troubled.
https://twitter.com/Alex_TIMP/status/627864166854983680
Olivier Giroud arrived on the scene midway through the second half, and promptly justified his exclusion from the starting line-up.
The Frenchman has never scored against Chelsea, and didn’t look like he’d end that barren run.
Some real guilt-edged chances being missed today. Ramires, Hazard and now Giroud all should've done better with shots.
— Ben McAleer (@BenMcAleer1) August 2, 2015
He wasn’t the only one to waste a good opportunity, with Santi Cazorla failing to convert when one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois.
https://twitter.com/VieiraPaddy/status/627877939871395840
Arsenal held on, though, and the victory could be significant on a psychological level as they prepare for a tilt at the title.
There’s an atmosphere of belief in North London, according to one of the invincibles, and it showed.
Still, it’s good to see that some things will never change.
Jose Mourinho: 'The best team lost and the most defensive team won.' #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 2, 2015
