Superb strike from @Alex_OxChambo puts @Arsenal ahead at @wembleystadium. @Arsenal 1-0 @ChelseaFC. #CommunityShield http://t.co/xQIYfjFQL8
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 2, 2015
When Chelsea had the ball they had the option of playing on the break and exploiting the space that Arsenal left behind. Remy peeled off the relatively slow Mertesacker, looking to take advantage of Arsenal’s high defensive line.
Hazard and Willian complemented the French striker in those quick transitional plays while Fabregas acted as a conduit to get the ball to the forwards.
When the Blues had good possession Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta pushed beyond the halfway line from full-back positions to supply width while Ramires charged forward, leaving Matic to protect the central defenders.
Hazard frequently looked for the ball near the touchline to isolate Bellerin and use his dribbling abilities. The Belgium international also drifted inside to join Willian and Fabregas in supporting Remy in the final-third.
Key tactical changes
Arsenal were the better side in the opening quarter of the game. While Chelsea’s defence was decent, they struggled to impose their offensive plans. Ramires and Matic could not effectively build patient attacks and Fabregas struggled to influence the game in the number 10 position.
After Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal, Mourinho switched a couple of midfielders to improve Chelsea’s work with the ball. Fabregas dropped to link up play beside Matic in a 4-2-3-1 formation while Ramires slotted into the right attacking midfield position.
That change saw Chelsea’s ball retention significantly improve. Fabregas also started to dictate play in central midfield. Still, the Gunners kept their lead because Chelsea’s attacking midfielders were not creative enough to open up Wenger’s men, plus Remy was ineffective with his frequently mistimed runs.
Wenger probably sensed a win for his side in the last 15 minutes as he protected his lead by switching to a 4-5-1 defensive formation. His men had to drop back and retain the compact defensive shape for the last period of the game.
Kieran Gibbs came on to double-up with Monreal down the left flank while Ramsey protected Bellerin on the other wing. In central midfield, Mikel Arteta worked from the base of a central midfield triangle that included Coquelin and Cazorla.
In a desperate attempt to snatch an equaliser, Mourinho sacrificed John Terry in order to turn to a 3-5-2 formation. Willian and Victor Moses completed the game as wing-backs while Fabregas and Oscar operated as central attacking midfielders behind Hazard and Radamel Falcao.
Still, that last move could not help Chelsea as Arsenal restricted the Blues to a few half chances.
