Premier League holders Chelsea will take on Arsenal in the Community Shield this weekend. The Blues cruised to the English title in Antonio Conte’s maiden season, but they were left with a sour taste after they lost to the Gunners in the FA Cup final.
Both teams have already met in a pre-season friendly earlier last month which the Blues won by 3-0 scoreline but Conte will not take things for granted as Arsene Wenger’s side were not at their full strength.
The Gunners have won their previous two Community Shields following their FA Cup success, and they will be determined to clinch another as it would be the perfect morale booster ahead of the new Premier League season.
Players to watch for:
Michy Batshuayi – Chelsea: The Belgium international was hardly given a run in the presence of Diego Costa last season. Batshuayi has shown great promise in pre-season with three goals and an assist, and he could be picked to lead the line ahead of summer recruit Alvaro Morata. The 23-year-old possesses an impressive pace to frighten opposition defences, and he will have an eye on replicating the brace he scored in the Beijing friendly.
Aaron Ramsey – Arsenal: While opinion is divided on the Welshman, he manages to find himself of scoring winners at Wembley – similarly to Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard. Ramsey provided the match-winning header in the FA Cup final last season, and the Blues midfield will have to watch him closely after they failed to keep up with his movement in Wembley last time around.
Prediction:
Although Arsenal fell short in the pre-season friendly against Chelsea, they were not necessarily over-roared on the pitch with the Blues more clinical with their chances. The Gunners tend to normally show up in the Shield with some vigour, and I am backing them to clinch a late winner.
Chelsea 0 Arsenal 1
Image – Getty
