[Goal & match report] Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea – Cech masterclass keeps Community Shield in north London

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[Goal & match report] Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea – Cech masterclass keeps Community Shield in north London

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted a sensational winner as we finally ended the hoodoo against Jose Mourinho, in what was a keenly contested Community Shield clash.

Despite this being a pre-season friendly of some sorts, both sides clearly wanted to win with the Premier League kicking off in less than a week.

In terms of team news, Wenger started with our strongest possible XI, with Theo Walcott the only surprise inclusion in a central striker role at the expense of Olivier Giroud.

All eyes were inevitably on Petr Cech, who made his competitive debut against his old side and was looking to start his career in north London with a trophy.

We were the better team in the opening exchanges and won the ball back high in Chelsea’s half as we sustained the pressure on the champions.

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However, in a game of few chances, we were lacking width with the likes of Santi Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain coming inside and making it easy for Chelsea.

There may have been a call from the bench for The Ox to stay wide because when he did, the 21-year-old skinned Cesar Azpilicueta before rifling a left-footed effort into the top corner.

Following that goal, it was a rearguard action from the team as we put ten men behind the ball and, ironically, out-Mourinho’d Mourinho.

There were a few hairy moments as we defended our lead, with Chelsea’s best chance falling to Eden Hazard after he was put through by Cesc Fabregas.

Cech stood tall, forcing Hazard to make a decision and the Belgian panicked to blaze the ball clear of the bar. Chelsea would come to rue that miss.

Oscar came on to see a smart free-kick stopped by his former teammate and at the other end, the likes of Cazorla and Kieran Gibbs could’ve allowed us to win by a higher margin.

In the end, we held on for what was a visibly a mental relief for the players and a huge confidence boost ahead of the new campaign.

Check out Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta lifting the trophy below.

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