The season is on the verge of kicking-off, well it does kick-off for two teams at least this weekend, and what a game it could be. Two rivals, two great managers and a lot of subplots, it is Arsenal meeting Chelsea in the FA Community Shield with both teams looking to make a winning start to the season.
Sure a lot of people look at the competition as a form of pre-season warm up game which has no relevance to the final league standings but winning this game, especially one against your near and dear rivals can provide a huge platform to build on in the coming months of the season. Arsenal won the FA Cup last season and would be hoping to do better in the Premier League this season, we look at the starting line-up for Arsenal as they prepare for a tough season.
Petr Cech
Petr Cech should get a start in the most competitive match of the season so far. Szczesny left for Roma and the former Chelsea goalkeeper might have a point to prove against his former employers.
Mathieu Debuchy
The French right-back missed a lot of the season last time but he is fit and should get a chance to show what he is capable of against Chelsea.
Laurent Koscielny
We cannot have an Arsenal centre-back pairing without Koscielny, so he gets the nod to partner Per in defence.
Per Mertesacker
This could be a make or break season for the German, hopefully he can show Arsenal fans what he is truly capable of against the Blues.
Nacho Monreal
The Spaniard should continue playing as the left-back for the Gunners picking up where he left off from last season. He has beaten Keiran Gibbs to make it as the first choice left back thanks to Gibbs’ injury concerns. It would be a big test for Monreal against the Blues before the start of the season.
Aaron Ramsey
A deeper role for Ramsey could be the perfect way for him to start his season. Ramsey has been played in a range of roles but a central position will work for him.
Francis Coquelin
The defensive midfielder is someone who has risen up the ranks at Arsenal and fast, he should play in central midfield like he did all season last year.
Santi Cazorla
The Spaniard could play in a more advanced role but that shouldn’t faze him, he has done that multiple times for Malaga and for Arsenal.
Theo Walcott
Walcott being fit could be one of the keys to Arsenal having a great season this year and hopefully the Englishman will be able to provide a number of brilliant performances starting with this match.
Mesut Ozil
With Sanchez still not up to match fitness, the creative onus could fall on Ozil and the German has to deliver for any chance of Arsenal winning the game.
Olivier Giroud
The only good striker that Arsenal have, Giroud is the key for them to beat Chelsea, if he can take the chances provided to him.
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