Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (L) scored the game-winning goal for Arsenal against Chelsea. (Getty)
Final Score
Chelsea 0-0 — 0
Arsenal 1-0 — 1
Arsenal kicked off the season in the best possible way, earning a 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon at Wembley Stadium. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored the lone goal in the 24th minute for the Gunners, who controlled long spells of the match before a second half period of pressure by Chelsea kept them on their toes.
The win was the first for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger against Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in 14 matches.
Defending Premier League champion Chelsea began to find their feet in the second half and threatened through Eden Hazard and Oscar, but Arsenal held firm to secure the win.
The English Premier League season starts next weekend; Chelsea welcomes Swansea Saturday while Arsenal will host West Ham Sunday.
Check below for stats and highlights of the match:
Lineups
Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Ramires, Willian, Hazard, Remy
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott
Stats
Goals: Oxlade-Chamberlain (24′)
Shots (On Goal): Chelsea 14 (2 on goal), Arsenal: 11 (5 on goal)
Tackles: Chelsea 18, Arsenal 11
Fouls: Chelsea 11, Arsenal 12
Possession: Chelsea 57%, Arsenal 43%
Cards: Chelsea: Azpilicueta (65′); Arsenal: Coquelin (68′)
Attendance: 85,437
Oxlade-Chamberlain Finished Excellent Move to Give Arsenal 1-0 Lead
The Gunners got off to a bright spot, though chances were few and far between. The first shot on target came after 20 minutes, and soon after the Ox finishes off a team move with a nifty finish into the top corner. Chelsea goalie Thibault Courtois had no chance.
Ramires Missed a Point-Blank Header For Chelsea
That’s a massive chance! @Rami7oficial heads over from close-range as Jose Mourinho shows how it should be done. http://t.co/eiZbobR9s3
A pin-point cross into the box falls right to the head of Ramires, who heads over from six yards out.
Jose Mourinho’s reaction on the sideline to the miss:
Cech Punched an Oscar Free Kick Clear
With Chelsea coming into the match more, new Arsenal goalie Petr Cech is called into action to parry away a free kick from Brazilian Oscar.
Preview: London Rivals Tangle For Community Shield
Is Olivier Giroud good enough to be in Arsenal’s starting XI? (Getty)
Chelsea and Arsenal met close to three months ago in a Barclays Premier Leauge fixture at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were marching towards a title while Arsenal had all but wrapped up a Champions League place. The 0-0 result that day was met with boring chants from the Arsenal crowd, and we all know how Jose Mourinho answered that.
The two will meet again Sunday at Wembley Stadium in the Community Shield to open the 2015/16 season, and most of the names and faces will be the same as a year ago. Both teams have been quiet in the transfer window so far, Diego Costa missed much of the second half of last season through injury, but may see the field Sunday despite concerns he may miss the match. Update: Costa will not play.
Chelsea have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, going unbeaten in the last eight meetings (five wins, three draws) and conceding just two goals in that span. Since March 2004, Chelsea are 16-4-8 against their rivals.
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