Cesc Fàbregas and Eden Hazard go missing and hand Arsenal initiative

  

Arsène Wenger’s midfield was getting the ball to attacking players quickly while Chelsea failed to use their most creative players well

In their final preparation game for the Premier League campaign, Arsenal andChelsea were still ironing out flaws in their approach – and while Arsène Wenger’s side emerged victorious, the two teams faced similar issues.

The headline news concerned the identity of both centre-forwards: Wenger repeated his FA Cup final selection by choosing Theo Walcott rather than Olivier Giroud while José Mourinho was without Diego Costa, so played Loïc Rémy. Consequently, both teams lacked a traditional penalty-box presence but had great pace up front – and therefore needed through balls from midfield.

Those rarely arrived, though, partly because of the format of both midfields. Wenger used a combative, energetic duo of Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin in the centre, meaning Santi Cazorla, who excelled in that deep role in the second half of last season, was on the left and less involved. Chelsea’s situation was similar – Ramires alongside Nemanja Matic – which meant Cesc Fàbregas played higher. Last season, both teams were more impressive with their gifted Spain playmakers on the ball frequently, keeping the passing tempo high and knocking good passes into attack. Here, neither dictated play and the game lacked penetrative passing.

Arsenal, however, were clearly the better team. Rather than holding the ball for long periods they attacked with directness, and although Walcott did not receive any passes in behind the defence, he forced Chelsea’s backline to defend even deeper than usual, opening up spaces between the lines for Cazorla and Mesut Özil to play neat one-twos and increase the pressure on Chelsea. To the right, meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain offered something different – constant energy and driving runs.

His winner, cutting back inside César Azpilicueta on to his left foot before firing past Thibaut Courtois into the opposite corner, was truly outstanding. That was the simple difference – Arsenal were getting the ball into their attacking players quickly. Chelsea struggled to locate either Fàbregas or Eden Hazard, who at one point midway through the first half dropped so deep he was collecting 10-yard passes from his centre-backs, effectively criticising Matic and Ramires for not offering enough in possession.

Willian was much brighter, and contributed the first of Chelsea’s two genuinely promising moments. After half an hour he slipped in Rémy in the left-hand channel, and the Frenchman curled a good cross on to the head of Ramires, who should have headed home from point-blank range. In the second half, meanwhile, Fàbregas played a fine ball into the path of Hazard, who blazed over from an inside-right position. That second chance came after Oscar had replaced Ramires, with Fàbregas dropping back into a standard central midfield role – hinting at Chelsea’s best system.

Last season Chelsea stole a march on their title rivals in the opening two months. On this evidence Arsenal are more likely to start the season in good form, but both managers will be aware of the need to improve.

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Wenger beating Mourinho does not affect Chelsea - Zouma

Chelsea will not be impacted by the fact Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger defeated Jose Mourinho, says Kurt Zouma.

Kurt Zouma insists there will be no ill effect from Arsene Wenger finally getting a victory over Jose Mourinho after Arsenal beat Chelsea in the Community Shield.

Arsenal manager Wenger beat Chelsea counterpart Mourinho in a competitive fixture at the 14th time of asking, as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's first-half effort sealed a 1-0 win at Wembley.

Chelsea finished 12 points clear of Arsenal in winning the Premier League last term, but Arsenal finished strongly and many have tipped them to challenge this time around.

However, when asked if Wenger beating Mourinho affected Chelsea, Zouma said: "There's no impact for the season, they won and we were unlucky. Congratulations to them.

"We are happy to play a game in the Premier League. We lost the community shield, we were unlucky but we have to think about [the league].

"Every team can be champion, we want to be champion, we have to defend our title. We have a good squad and a good team. Mentally we are ready for that."

Zouma also spoke of his desire to help the team whatever position he is asked to fill.

The Frenchman normally plays centre-back, but has featured in midfield for Chelsea and was employed at left-back when he replaced Cesar Azpilicueta on Sunday.

"I didn't expect to play left-back, but I have to help the team," he added. "The most important thing is to play for the team. The boss asked me to play left-back, I have to do a job for the team."