Arsenal vs. Chelsea Community Shield preview and predicted lineups
The Premier League’s first piece of silverware is up for grabs today as champions Chelsea play FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley. For viewers in the US, the game kicks off at 10am ET on FOX Sports … Continue reading →

The Premier League’s first piece of silverware is up for grabs today as champions Chelsea play FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley. For viewers in the US, the game kicks off at 10am ET on FOX Sports 1.

Both sides are meeting for only the second time in this competition after Didier Drogba scored the winner for the Blues in their first meeting in 2005.

This is also the 14th meeting between both managers with Arsene Wenger famously winless against Jose Mourinho, something which which needs to change if the Gunners are going to mount a serious challenge for the title this time around.

Arsenal had a spotless preseason preparation, winning all their games including a 6-0 victory over Lyon and a 1-0 win against Wolfsburg to seal the Emirates Cup trophy.

The Gunners will also be buoyed by Petr Cech’s presence in goal after the Chelsea legend signed for them for £11 million after seeing limited playing time at Stamford Bridge due to Thibaut Courtois’ return from Atletico Madrid.

SEE MORE: View the Premier League TV schedule for the US.

Chelsea, on the other hand, were indifferent having lost 4-2 to New York Red Bulls before beating Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona on penalties in the subsequent matches that followed.

The Blues have barely bought anyone this summer save for replacements for departing players in Radamel Falcao for Drogba and Asmir Begovic for Cech, so we can expect a very similar side to the one that won the Premier League so convincingly last season.

Team News

Alexis Sanchez is the only notable absentee for Arsenal following an extended post-Copa America break while Cech is expected to start in goal ahead of David Ospina.

Chelsea duo Gary Cahill (broken nose) and Diego Costa (hamstring) have been passed fit for this match after they suffered injuries in the last pre-season game against Barcelona.

Costa is expected to begin the game while Falcao and Loic Remy start from the bench.

Key Stats

482 – The Gunners have gone 482 minutes without scoring against Chelsea.

13 – Jose Mourinho has not lost in 13 meetings against Wenger winning seven of them.

4 – Arsenal have won their last four games at the new Wembley after failing to win the first three (D1 L2). They beat Wigan on penalties in that drawn game however.

8 – Chelsea have won 8 of 13 games at the new Wembley. However, they lost their last Community Shield match 3-2 to Manchester City in 2012.

Predicted Lineups