Arsene Wenger finally got the better of Jose Mourinho at the 14th time of asking as his Arsenal side beat Chelsea 1-0 to lift the Community Shield for the second successive season.
It may only have been in a minor competition but the importance of the result cannot be underestimated. Obviously, I am not going to get too carried away with the win as we will need to prove ourselves as more serious Premier League title challengers first before I get too excited. But finally beating Mourinho, thanks to a goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is a huge boost for the Gunners and one the players can hopefully take into this season.
When we play Chelsea in the league next month the players should be able to go into the game with the mentality 'we have beaten this team and can beat them again'. I still believe Mourinho firmly has the upper hand in the battle between the two managers but the 'Special One' did look somewhat rattled following the full-time whistle at Wembley. He was clearly disappointed to lose the game and this was evident just from watching his reactions on the sidelines. He even said before the game that he saw the Community Shield as more than a friendly and clearly took the game seriously but, whether or not the result will have a big impact on the upcoming title race remains to be seen.
Arsenal will have to be more consistent with their performances throughout the whole campaign and I still believe we need another addition or two, especially up front but the signs were certainly encouraging. The performance and result will undoubtedly bolster the self-belief within the squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League opener against West Ham.
The only major signing to date this summer is goalkeeper Petr Cech, who made his competitive debut against his former club. Cech didn't have too much to do at Wembley but his calming presence between the sticks helped his new side hold on for a more than deserved victory.
Francis Coquelin impressed once again while Hector Bellerin kept Chelsea's star man Eden Hazard quiet for most of the derby clash in the capital. But it was Oxlade-Chamberlain who stole the headlines with his man-of-the-match display.
The England international scored the only goal of the game after 24 minutes when he cut inside César Azpilicueta before firing a powerful strike beyond Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal.
Chelsea tried to find an equaliser before half-time but Ramires curled an effort wide of goal before sending a close-range header over the crossbar.
Mourinho's men spurned further chances to get back into the game and Eden Hazard really should've done better with his effort around the hour mark. Cesc Fabregas's expertly-timed pass released Hazard in the box but the Belgian blazed his effort over the bar.
Substitute Oscar also tried his luck from a free-kick but Cech did superbly to push away the Brazilian's effort and deny his former club an equaliser.
Arsenal should've added to their lead in the closing stages but Santi Cazorla's close-range effort was blocked by Courtois before Aaron Ramsey saw his rebound deflected just wide of a post.
It mattered little as Arsenal were able to hold on for the victory, ensuring Wenger's men lifted silverware at Wembley for the second time in four months.
It is hard to read too much into the match as Chelsea will no doubt take things up another level when the Premier League and Champions League start again. But finally ending the losing streak against Mourinho will still do the Gunners, who added the Community Shield to two pre-season tournament trophies, the power of good.
It looks like Arsenal can finally start a campaign full of confidence and with very few injuries compared to normal but I don't want to speak too soon just in case. It is going to be a long and difficult season and who knows where we are going to end up, but at least signs are encouraging at the moment.
If we can add another player or two over the next week or so then I'll feel more confident about our chances. I still think Chelsea are the clear favourites for the Premier League title but we can't totally write ourselves off either. Let's wait and see what happens.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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