Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Match Preview Arsenal vs Chelsea: Defend the Shield

By Brian Wong

facebooktwitterreddit

As the days of summer slowly come to an end, it means that more meaningful games are going to begin. It has been a quick, mostly quiet summer, yet despite the lack of speculation (compared to years past) Arsenal fans are extremely positive.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

During a long summer, most of the times no news is good news and with most important first-team players staying healthy, this season looks to be an interesting one. However, before we dive into the start of the Premier League we get to look at Arsenal kick things off against Chelsea in the Community Shield.

The Community Shield may be insignificant compared to the Premier League but the opponent Arsenal is about to face is no joke. By far the best team in the League last year, Chelsea would be a great measuring stick for Arsenal to start the season.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

1) Arsenal’s ability to unlock Chelsea

After looking at the prediction I have probably already lost most of your attention but hear me out. Arsenal might not have bought any new players but it’s midfield and attack has been much better. Everything begins with my favorite player, Mesut Ozil, and he is finally healthy and if I may add much stronger physically.

Ozil’s supreme skill has been on display throughout the preseason and although that is not the same as playing against a stingy defense, I am confident he will work hard to unlock it.

A healthy Walcott and Chamberlain coupled with Giroud means that Arsenal can beat their opponents multiple ways. Giroud gives the team a great physical presence and that is drastically different from what Walcott and Chamberlain offer, both of whom have a lot to prove and more speed than most of us know what to do with. A mixed attack allows Arsenal to play different ways and counter whatever Chelsea is doing with their defense.

Finally, the reason why I think Arsenal are going to score at least two and quite possibly three goals is because, other than those mentioned above, I have yet to even talk about Cazorla, Ramsey, and Wilshere. All of whom can provide pinpoint passes from deep and unlock any defense on any given day.

2) Stability at the back

More from Arsenal Match Previews

I have to admit I didn’t understand Wenger’s pursuit of Mr. Petr Cech but I think my fellow writers here at Pain in the Arsenal have given me a slight insight. Petr Cech demands respect and as a result of that he has the ability to organize any defense on earth. There is something to be said about a keeper’s ability to organize the back four and control the box. Couple that with Cech’s crazy ability to put a hand on almost anything and my confidence in the defense grows with each passing day.

Arsenal have been one of the most consistent defenses in the League. The introduction of a physical, no nonsense holding midfielder has vastly improved the defense against the counter-attack. All of which allows me to be quite confident Arsenal will frustrate Chelsea’s attack and creating holes in their defense.

3) I just want Jose Mourinho to lose

Maybe there is a reason why people say you should never bet with your heart but my hatred for Mourinho makes me always predict Arsenal to humiliate Chelsea. I’m sure a lot of other Arsenal fans out there agree with me, and there are days where I enjoy watching Mourinho losing more than I like watching Arsenal winning.

Next: Arsenal's Predicted Starting XI

More from Pain in the Arsenal