Arsenal: Community Shield Match Preview With Llion Carbis

This Community Shield is much bigger than a simple curtain raiser for Arsenal, it sets the tone for the rest of the season. Here’s the preview.

Arsenal and Chelsea square off in the community Shield to call this preseason to a close. To discuss this weekends clash with me is Llion Carbis, a friend and an accomplished young writer for both ‘Breathe Chelsea‘ and ‘We Ain’t Got No History‘ who predicted our 3-1 defeat back in February and our FA Cup triumph.

Besides previewing the game, Llion and I discussed the transfer window and the FA Cup final. See our conversation below:

HP: Arsenal were victorious in the FA Cup final but Chelsea were far from their best, what do you attribute that game to?

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LC: As much as it pains me to say it, Arsenal were superb and in truth, you should have scored more than two goals. We appeared to be slow, sluggish and lethargic from the start. It took Moses’ ridiculous dive to wake us up. To use the notorious football cliche, it was too little, too late.

How would you rate Chelsea’s transfer window so far? Have you improved on your squad from last season?

Regarding the players that we’ve signed, I believe that we’ve augmented the quality of the starting eleven. Morata, in particular, was a significant coup. However, we’ve allowed far too many players to leave which has left the squad somewhat depleted. I expect another four signings (especially at wing-back). Failure to enhance Conte’s options would seriously damage our hopes of success this season.

"Would love Oxlade-Chamberlain at #CFC | A talented and versatile player, can operate at RWB, CM or as a winger. Would be a good addition. (@carbislli)"

What have you made of Arsenal’s transfer window? Will Arsenal be title contenders this season?

Arsenal have done fairly well in the window. The inclusion of [Sead] Kolasinac is a strong and cost-effective transfer. Your need for a striker of great repute has been apparent for years, and I believe [Alexandre] Lacazette is a great buy. Nonetheless, I don’t believe that Arsenal will win another league title as long as Wenger is present. The fact that a 4th place finish + 1 domestic cup is viewed as a success by many, has made you lack ambition.

Even though this isn’t a ‘real’ trophy, this is a big game as it’s the curtain raiser for the season and could set an example for other teams. How important is a convincing win in this game?

I think it’s mightily important. The last Community Shield that we featured in was at the start of the 15/16 season, you beat us 1-0. We looked tired, fragile and unimaginative that day which foreshadowed the remainder of that awful season. A win would give us momentum that we can transfer into our league form, that said, a defeat doesn’t denote the end of the world. Also, you can’t underestimate the significance that is associated with any Chelsea-Arsenal clash, it’s always a fierce occasion.

While many will say that this game will have no effect on either team’s season, I believe this is a game of huge importance for Arsenal.

Next: Arsenal's Predicted FIFA 18 Player Ratings

Chelsea’s transfer window has been questionable and their Premier League title is there for the taking. Arsenal need to take the first step towards that title this weekend.

Arsenal: Community Shield match preview with Llion Carbis

By Henry Payne | Aug 5, 2017

This Community Shield is much bigger than a simple curtain raiser for Arsenal, it sets the tone for the rest of the season. Here’s the preview.

More from Pain in the Arsenal