We all know the Arsene Wenger stats. 11 years, no wins, 506 scoreless minutes, the extent of futility endured at the hands of Jose Mourinho and Chelsea. With no signs anything would change for the “specialist in failure.” The question was whether Arsenal could win before Halley’s Comet made its next appearance.
A stunning strike by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 24th minute changed all that and Arsenal held off Chelsea sometimes at less than an arm’s length. Former Blues goalie, Petr Cech now ensconced at the Emirates was also a difference maker flinging himself at Oscar’s free kick heading to the top left hand corner to save an equalizer. More implicitly, Cech commanded the penalty area, organizing the Arsenal defense superbly. That is what a top class goalie gives you.
Wembley is proving to be a happy hunting ground for the Gunners. 2 FA Cup wins and 2 Community Shields in successive years.
Arsenal’s strength was its counterattacking and in the Ox and Walcott up front it had the personnel to do so. In the 24th minute, Ozil coasting down the left found Walcott in the middle. John Terry made an uncharacteristic mistake of being drawn out leaving Matic exposed. Walcott switched flanks feeding the Ox to his right, who cut onto his left freezing Matic and scorched the ball far post. Thibaut Courtois stood no chance. Chelsea’s best chance fell to Ramires who got his head on the ball following Willian’s cross but was unable to steer it into goal. Loic Remy had a forgettable first half, static and caught offside too many times as Arsenal played a high line.
The second half saw Chelsea scrambling to draw level with new man Falcao pressed into attack in place of Remy. But Arsenal dealt with it quite comfortably with Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal standing out. Kos’s sliding intervention threw Hazard off as the Belgian burst into the box as Fabregas connected with him and his shot skied over. Frances Coquelin was strong and mean, getting in enough testy tackles to disrupt the passing rhythm. Arsenal relied on the occasional counterattack and Cazorla and Gibbs came close to finishing off Chelsea for a more emphatic win.
For Chelsea, the biggest concern is the lack of striker depth. With Diego Costa injured, Remy and then Falcao were virtual non-entities, swallowed whole by Arsenal’s defence. Which by its nature is a statement. Remy last season came up with some important late goals as Costa faded with injury concerns but he lacks the mental sharpness which makes the Spanish striker so deadly, with his bewilderment of the offside trap. Falcao on the other hand, does not seem to have the legs to cope with the EPL’s physical nature.
The end of the match was pure gamesmanship. Mourinho had the look of someone who had swallowed something unpleasant while Wenger looked relieved. Both managers did not shake hands after the match. The Chelsea manager put some mustard in the simmering relationship when he made a big show congratulating the Arsenal players coming onto the pitch after the trophy presentation but turned away with Wenger deliberately bypassing him, heading into the tunnel but not before he had flung the runners up medal contemptuously into the crowd. Very elaborate choreography but in actuality, stupid and childish behaviour by both men and completely in contradiction to the spirit of the Community Shield.