Arsenal edge Chelsea 1-0 in season opener Community Shield
Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger finally claims victory over counterpart Jose Mourinho at the 14th attempt as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal proves the difference
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed victory over Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho at the 14th attempt as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal gave the FA Cup winners a 1-0 win in Sunday’s Community Shield.
The England midfielder struck in the 24th minute at a sun-soaked Wembley Stadium to break Mourinho’s longstanding hold over his French rival and give Arsenal hope of a sustained assault on Chelsea’s Premier League title.
It’s good because in preseason we were very solid defensively, so it’s a good base to go into the championship. We have good spirit and I believe we look dangerous
While Chelsea improved in the second half, they could not find a way past their former goalkeeper Petr Cech, who registered a clean sheet as his new club secured their 13th outright Community Shield.
“It’s good because in preseason we were very solid defensively, so it’s a good base to go into the championship,” Wenger told BT Sport.
“We have good spirit and I believe we look dangerous.”
Wenger will be mindful that a 3-0 win over Manchester City in last season’s Community Shield was not followed by a convincing title bid, but with Cech already looking at home and Mourinho no longer able to boast a spotless record against him, he will approach this weekend’s opening league fixtures with preseason belief fully intact.