It’s the start of football all over again. This time the warm up the Community Shield final between League Champions Chelsea & FA Cup winners Arsenal.Already there has been the usual verbal sparring between the two with Jose Mourinho ranking things up saying Arsenal have spent a fortune and saying they could really make a challenge this season.Arsene Wenger dismissed the chat by simply saying that ” we spend when we have to and do not listen to other people”.There is little love lost between the two but when it comes to winning Mourinho is way out front. They have met each thirteen times in competition and Wenger has yet to win. How he would love to change all that.This season he may be more optimistic than ever. There is still talk that Karim Benzema could arrive from Real Madrid but already for me he has scooped the transfer of the summer by taking former Chelsea keeper Petr Cech to the Emirates. Cech could make a massive difference for Arsenal. Remember Arsenal finished third last season and you wonder how harder they will be to beat with Cech in goals.

On Sunday he will be lining up against his former manager and his former team mates. It will be almost surreal for the veteran net minder. For almost all of last season he was forced to sit on the bench and watch 23 year old Thibaut Courtois perform. At the end of the season Cech had a simple question. Should I stay or should I go. Stay at Chelsea as number two of move on for first team football. He did just that but few expected it would just be across the city to Arsenal.

In the past he has won the Community Shield twice both times with Chelsea in 2005 and 9 and now he’s aiming for a hat trick but this time with Arsenal. It will be interesting to say the least.

Chelsea have injury concerns over striker Costa who has a slight hamstring issue and Gary Cahill who appeared to break his nose in the game against Barcelona.

But they do have Falcao. For me another great signing. He just didn’t perform at United but I think he will do very well at Stamford Bridge.

 

It’s quite an opening. Arsenal are unbeaten pre season and their confidence will be high. So too Chelsea. In pre season they have beaten both PSG and Barcelona although they need penalties.

Imagine if Sunday came down to penalties. You can almost read the script already.

I think Arsenal might just win this trophy for the second year in a row. Last year they turned over Manchester City and they might just do the same to Chelsea on Sunday. Expect it to be close all the way.

And after that the real battles begin next week. I can hardly wait.

Community Shield Final betting

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