Arsenal face Chelsea in the Community Shield... we rank the London rivals against each other but who comes out on top?
Arsenal and Chelsea meet in the Community Shield at Wembley
- The FA Cup winners and Premier League champions meet on Sunday
- Arsenal new boy Petr Cech faces former club Chelsea for the first time
The Premier League aperitif - Arsenal versus Chelsea in the Community Shield - will whet the appetite for the season ahead on Sunday.
New Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech will face former club Chelsea for the first time in the Community Shield
Many are saying this could be Arsenal’s year after Arsene Wenger’s succession of FA Cup triumphs, but Jose Mourinho will want his champions Chelsea to stamp their authority on English football once again.
To make this early-season encounter even more enticing is the transfer of Chelsea legend Petr Cech to their bitter rivals across London, gifting Arsenal one of the world’s best goalkeepers, and finally filling a position they have struggled with for years.
Will that tip the balance in Arsenal’s favour? Sportsmail has pitted what we consider the full-strength sides against each other to see who comes out on top.
World class talent like Mesut Ozil (left) and Eden Hazard will go head to head as Arsenal face Chelsea
Arsene Wenger (left) and Jose Mourinho do battle once more for the first piece of silverware this season
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Debuchy, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Cazorla, Wilshere, Walcott, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Costa.
GOALKEEPER
Petr Cech 8.5
For a decade he was infallible in Chelsea’s goal, until a younger, newer model came along. The Czech believes he is still one of the best, but his age — 33 — slightly diminishes his powers.
Thibaut Courtois 9
Courtois stole Cech’s crown from him at Chelsea and he just pips him in the battle of the goalkeepers, which will make an interesting subplot as events unfold. There is a reason why Mourinho made him Cech’s replacement.
Winner: Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois displaced Cech as Chelsea's No 1 and just pips the Arsenal new boy in the battle of keepers
RIGHT BACK
Mathieu Debuchy 7
The Frenchman is good going forward but is defensively suspect, which Eden Hazard will look to exploit. Hector Bellerin will be pushing him for a starting berth this season.
Branislav Ivanovic 8
A truly wonderful player; a fighter and a warrior. Mourinho hails him often as a hero of the side. He virtually never fails to deliver when it matters. He is strong, powerful and reliable.
Winner: Chelsea
Branislav Ivanovic skippered the Blues against New York Red Bulls and is vice-captain for the season ahead
CENTRE BACK
Laurent Koscielny 7.5
The Frenchman freely admits he is not the most talented player, but he is a tireless worker and strong all-round defender.
Gary Cahill 8
The England defender is available despite taking a blow to the face against Barcelona. The 29-year-old has won all the major trophies at Chelsea and is one of the best centre backs in the game.
Winner: Chelsea
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has been at the Emirates since 2010 and remains a consistent performer
CENTRE BACK
Per Mertesacker 7.5
The BFG — as he has so delicately been nicknamed by Arsenal fans (look it up, if you don’t know) — is certainly a big giant, which has its obvious advantages in the centre of defence. But he is also slow and has been known to get his positioning all wrong at times.
John Terry 8
Chelsea’s captain is still going strong at 34 years old. His Stamford Bridge career looked to be coming to an end but Terry came out fighting and was one of the league’s top defenders on the way to the title.
Winner: Chelsea
John Terry was one of the best defenders in the Premier League last season as the Blues lifted the title
LEFT BACK
Kieran Gibbs 7.5
Constantly vying for a place with Nacho Monreal but Wenger compared him with Ashley Cole last season and when on form he's a slightly more versatile left back with his added pace.
Cesar Azpilicueta 7
Even though his preferred position is right back, Azpilicueta was often preferred over the recently departed Filipe Luis last season. He is a solid defender but not spectacular.
Winner: Arsenal
Left back Kieran Gibbs was compared with former Gunners and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole last term
CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Jack Wilshere 8.5
The England midfielder was absolutely flying for club and country right at the end of last season. If he can avoid injury and continue playing in the same fashion, Wilshere’s potential is frightening. Francis Coquelin is another alternative at the base of the midfield for Arsenal after impressing last season.
Nemanja Matic 8.5
The Serb is like a pneumatic drill in front of Chelsea’s defence and few players can match him in that role breaking up opposition attacks.
Draw
Influential midfielders Jack Wilshere and Nemanja Matic are neck and neck in Sportsmail's head-to-head
CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Santi Cazorla 8
Skilful, sprightly and Spanish, Cazorla is one of the most creative passers and biggest threats on the ball around the area. Aaron Ramsey could also provide the link between defence and attack.
Cesc Fabregas 8.5
Unfortunately for Cazorla, Chelsea also have a skilful, sprightly, Spanish midfielder who is better. Fabregas was the assist king in the Premier League last season and scores vital goals.
Winner: Chelsea
Fabregas took the crown for assists in the Premier League last season and will be hoping for more of the same
RIGHT WING
Theo Walcott 8
Worked his way back from almost a year without playing and ended the season showing his devastating ability with a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion and a goal in the FA Cup final win over Aston Villa.
Willian 7.5
Mourinho likes his wingers to put a shift in and help the defence, which is why he so often calls upon Willian. Even so, Walcott’s attacking ability outweighs Willian’s more all-round game.
Winner: Arsenal
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott celebrates after scoring against Wolfsburg as Arsenal won the Emirates Cup
ATTACKING MIDFIELD
Mesut Ozil 7.5
If only Ozil was consistent, he could be an eight or a nine. But unfortunately he often goes missing in games for Arsenal, even if there are moments of his brilliance at times.
Oscar 7.5
Another who is sometimes sublime but can disappear in matches. He appeared to fall out of favour with Mourinho during spells last season for his lack of work-rate.
Draw
Chelsea's Brazilian playmaker Oscar appeared to fall out of favour last season for a lack of work-rate
LEFT WING
Alexis Sanchez 9
Undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest talents. He is Arsenal’s biggest goal threat due to his pace, dribbling and finishing. Sanchez is due back next week having been given time off after helping Chile win the Copa America.
Eden Hazard 9
Alongside his Arsenal counterpart as one of the planet’s best and still only 24. Mourinho has challenged him to compete with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and he is not far off.
Draw
Alexis Sanchez is Arsenal's biggest threat and will be missed on Sunday following his Copa America exploits
STRIKER
Olivier Giroud 7
Striker is still another area that many feel Arsenal are lacking in. Giroud is a very good player and a sound goalscorer, but never feels like one who will find you that winner in a cup final.
Diego Costa 8
Chelsea's first-choice striker when fit, he terrorises defences and bullies the ball into the net, with head, toe or limb.
Winner: Chelsea
Diego Costa has been passed fit for Sunday after a hamstring scare in his last pre-season friendly
TOTAL
Arsenal: 86 Chelsea: 89
Winner: Chelsea
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3181112/Arsenal-face-Chelsea-Community-Shield-come-season-following-Premier-League-curtain-raiser.html#ixzz3hZ4F1QAO
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[ SAM CUNNINGHAM FOR MAILONLINE, dailymail.co.uk]
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