Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Winners and Losers from Community Shield
Arsenal lifted the first piece of silverware on offer for the 2015-16 season on Sunday, beating Chelsea 1-0 in the Community Shield at Wembley.
A tight contest that lacked composure throughout was settled by a wonderful Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain goal, cutting in off the right and firing into the top corner past Thibaut Courtois.
The Gunners missed several chances to increase their advantage, while Eden Hazard and Ramires both made a hash of easy chances to equalise.
Speaking to BT Sport live on TV after the game, Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker said, "It's another win. We've played a decent pre-season and this is good preparation for [the] first game. It's a little title for us. It keeps our confidence high. We are pretty happy with [the] performance."
Here B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was predictably given the nod on Sunday because of the fatigue-enforced absence of Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean's late start following Copa America 2015 exertions serves as the perfect chance for the Ox to stake his claim for a place in the XI, and he made a wonderful start.
Twenty-four minutes in, Oxlade-Chamberlain was freed on the right side and given the chance to take on Cesar Azpilicueta one-on-one. Creeping into the box, he ducked inside and lashed an incredible left-footed strike into the top corner. Thibaut Courtois was left helpless as the ball nearly took the net off behind him.
His energy, directness and positivity are all akin to Alexis'—he's actually a similar player stylistically speaking, meaning he's often left on the outside looking in. This is his opportunity to change the status quo, and he has not put a foot wrong thus far.
Loser: Cesar Azpilicueta
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Mr. Consistent, AKA Cesar Azpilicueta, started the campaign with an absolute stinker. No one is doubting his position as a result, but he has to go down as a loser from this match.
He was beaten one-on-one by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the goal—albeit brilliantly, so temper your criticism on this occasion—looked iffy in possession, passed a ball straight out of play under no pressure and took a few awful touches.
His nadir moment was the one pictured, when he pulled Oxlade-Chamberlain back after being rinsed for pace, collecting a yellow card for his troubles. He was withdrawn shortly after for Kurt Zouma.
Winner: Willian
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Any lingering questions surrounding who would be the first-choice winger opposite Eden Hazard at Chelsea this coming season were answered emphatically by Willian on Sunday. As uMAXit Football's Jack Rathborn noted on Twitter, the player has carried a spectacular six months of form into the 2015-16 campaign.
In the first half, it's arguable he was the only Chelsea player performing to his optimal level, searing down the left wing and delivering dangerous balls into the box.
He's starting to make a more definitive impact in games, and it's elevating him to the next level.
Loser: Loic Remy (and Radamel Falcao)
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Jose Mourinho has taken a big risk in his choice of strikers this season, and on Sunday, the first doubts began to surface after entirely anonymous performances by Diego Costa's chosen stand-ins.
A hamstring tweak ruled the Spaniard out of the Community Shield, so Mourinho started his deputy Loic Remy. He was caught offside four times and withdrawn at half-time for Radamel Falcao, who simply couldn't escape Laurent Koscielny's hawk-like attention. Both looked toothless.
Costa's clinical instinct and impact were a big factor in Chelsea's 2014-15 Premier League title win. He provided the measured presence in the box Fernando Torres and Demba Ba could not.
His only vice is his injury record, and he's shown he can't be trusted to play more than 35 games in a campaign. That means his backups must be reliable, as they'll be called upon frequently, but Remy flunked a big chance and Falcao failed to prove he's any less rusty than he was at the Copa America and Manchester United.
Winner: Arsene Wenger
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Finally, for the first time ever, Arsene Wenger claimed victory over Jose Mourinho. Is there such a thing as 14th time lucky?
The Blues ruined the occasion of the Frenchman's 1,000th game in charge of the Gunners in March 2014, knocking his side for six in a stunning afternoon of football. It's a theme that's dogged Wenger's career—Mourinho has been there to topple him at every turn—and this victory can be seen as symbolic, both for the manager and for the team he leads.
Arsenal are in the title race this season for the first time in more than three years. Wenger's produced a squad capable of matching the big boys, and this afternoon goes down as affirmation of his work.
