Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

The Community Shield match between Arsenal and Chelsea could be the most competitive of friendlies. Both sides will be aware that a positive result could provide a significant boost to morale and expectations ahead of the new Premier League season. The last two times Chelsea have won the Community Shield, for example, they have gone on to lift the title.

This fixture always straddles a line between being pertinent and merely about preparation. Speaking to Arsenal.com, Arsene Wenger seems acutely conscious that, whatever his own feelings about the fixture, it will have an influence on how the wider footballing public perceive his side’s title aspirations:

"

We have to accept that every game is decided and judged as definite. But you know that in real life it is not like that. The tribunal is out there and will draw conclusions from Sunday.

But no matter, positive or negative [result], we have to continue our way and focus on ourselves.

It's a game that is important but it is still preparation. We want to win it and overall it can just give us that little bit more confidence before we go into the season.

"

Even though this may not be a formal fixture, an army of armchair pundits will be watching on to see if Wenger can finally record his first victory over Jose Mourinho.

For his part, Mourinho seems outwardly relaxed about the encounter, telling the BBC:

"

It doesn't matter about Arsenal, it doesn't matter about the manager. I never made it an explosion of happiness or special pride in my victories over Arsenal. I do not make a drama if one day we lose.

"

However, he’ll know that an Arsenal win could hand them some crucial momentum ahead of the season’s true kick-off. This may be primarily a charity match, but it’s also an opportunity to lay down a marker.

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Date: Sunday August 2

Time: 3 p.m. BST, 10 a.m. ET

Location: Wembley Stadium, London

Television coverage: BT Sport 2 / BT Sport 2 HD / BT Sport Ultra HD (UK); Fox Sports 1 (U.S.)

Streaming: BTSport app (UK); Fox Soccer 2 Go (U.S.)

Team News

Arsenal are in the fortunate and unfamiliar position of having an almost entirely fit squad to call upon. There are only three major absentees: Danny Welbeck continues his rehabilitation from bone bruising on his knee, while David Ospina and Alexis Sanchez are not yet ready after their exertions at the Copa America.

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Wenger is likely to name his strongest possible XI in order to test his side against champions Chelsea. That will mean a start for Petr Cech in goal against the club where he is still revered as a legend.

With Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin set to continue in the centre of midfield, Aaron Ramsey could be pushed wide on the right with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain covering for Alexis on the left.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Petr Cech; Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker (c), Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal; Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla; Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Olivier Giroud

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For Chelsea, Diego Costa and Gary Cahill have both overcome fitness concerns to be named in the squad. New signings Asmir Begovic and Falcao should both be in contention to play, although neither is expected to start. Mourinho will not want to give Wenger the satisfaction of victory, so he will name a strong side at Wembley.

Mourinho is largely expected to stick with the core of the team that led Chelsea to their title triumph in 2014/15. However, there could be an opportunity for younger players like Kurt Zouma and Victor Moses to shine as substitutes.

Predicted Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Thibaut Courtois; Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry (c), Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta; Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Eden Hazard; Diego Costa

Players to Watch

Arsenal: Petr Cech

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All eyes will be on Cech as he lines up for the Gunners against his former club. His switch across London was one of the highest-profile transfers of the summer, and with good reason: The feeling is that he may be the missing ingredient required to make Arsenal legitimate title challengers again.

If he can keep his old team at bay at Wembley, it will make a significant statement about the degree to which he has strengthened Wenger’s side.

Chelsea: Cesc Fabregas

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Fabregas’ arrival at Chelsea was one of the things that helped take them to the title in 2014/15. However, his form faded dramatically in the second half of the season, and questions are being asked about whether or not his initial success at Chelsea was a mere purple patch.

Fabregas needs a strong start to the season to dispel those claims, and a controlling performance against his former club could be just what’s required to set him back on the right path.