For the third time in four years, Arsenal have begun their season by lifting the FA Community Shield.
Arsene Wenger's side have won the annual Premier League curtain-raiser once again, beating Chelsea 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
After an uneventful first 45 minutes at Wembley, Chelsea struck first just after the break, Victor Moses finishing from close range, just over 10 weeks since being sent off against the Gunners in the FA Cup final.
The Premier League champions looked to be on course for a small dose of revenge on their FA Cup conquerors, but they found themselves reduced to 10 men on 80 minutes, when Pedro was dismissed for a studs up tackle on Mohamed Elneny.
Emirates FA Cup ✅#CommunityShield ✅
Congratulations @Arsenal 👠pic.twitter.com/f8BukEWlmR
— The FA (@FA) August 6, 2017
From the resulting free kick, the sides were level. New-signing Sead Kolasinac powered a header into the back of the net, but there was still time for Chelsea to almost snatch victory. However, Alvaro Morata's header drifted just wide of the post.
The full time whistle brought a penalty shootout, and the new ABBA format (think of a tennis tiebreak), with Thibaut Courtois and Morata both missing for Chelsea, allowing Olivier Giroud to give Arsenal the early season bragging rights.
The #communityshield proved that both Arsenal and Chelsea have a little way to go before they're ready for the #premierleague
— Ian Beach (@ian_beach) August 6, 2017
Chelsea begin the defence of their Premier League title next Saturday when they host Burnley, and that's going to be our feature game on Premier League Live with Sky Sports.
Join Philip Egan from 2pm on Today FM, with Ron Jones and Brian Kerr calling the action from the Bridge.
