GLORY HUNTING - ARSENAL FC
COMMUNITY SHIELD!
Hey guys, welcome back! Today in the Glory Hunting campaign we dive straight in at the deep end in our first competitive game as we look to defeat Chelsea, at Wembley stadium, in the Community Shield.
The nerves were kicking in as the kick off drew closer. I would be forced to play a makeshift striker as Olivier Giroud had been stretchered off in the final friendly of preseason, a huge blow as the French striker is feared to be out of action for up to 5 weeks! However, being the good manager I am, I had Walcott out early at Wembley as he practised his shooting and finishing, as it would be Theo that I turned towards to lead the line and bag some goals.
Of course my team have some quality goal scorers in other positions on the pitch, with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, I was confident that despite the setback of no Giroud, we could go to Wembley and put up a fight against the Blues.
I exchanged words with Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink in the tunnel, the opposing boss was attempting to get under my skin and apply the pressure. I would have none of it, I told him that Arsenal have nothing to loose and that I thrive on pressure. I could handle the pressure and nothing would distract me from sending my team out brimming with confidence and with that fight in their bellies.
The line-ups were selected. The team sheets flooded social media sites and gossip filled the stadium as the news spread.
Chelsea lined up a strong team, with a clear attacking mentally. Diego Costa partnered in attack with the Brazilian Oscar and world class Eden Hazard. The trio have an appetite for goals and each player is a threat when in and around the area.
The Blues also fielded a very strong compact midfield trio, ex-Gunner Cesc Fabregas started alongside new £17 million signing Fred from Shaktar Donetsk. Matic provided the defensive support, playing just behind the two centre-midfielders.
A four back defence filled with talent from full-backs Azpilicueta and Ivanovic, to the brick wall structured centre back partnership of John Terry and young starlet Kurt Zouma. Belgium goalkeeper Courtois started the game between the sticks for Chelsea.
Arsenal, look towards Theo Walcott in the striker role, the pacey English man knows how to find the goal.
Behind the striker, in the 4-2-3-1 formation, Mesut Ozil provides a creative attacking midfield option, the ex Real Madrid player has incredible vision and can create chances out of nothing. Alexis Sanchez starts out on the right and Oxlade-Chamberlain gets a start on the left flank.
Ramsey fills in at centre defensive midfield role, partnered with 24 year-old Francis Coquelin, who will be looking to impress and secure a first team place.
Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesaker and Bellerin make up a sturdy back four and experienced goalkeeper Petr Cech provides his expertise in the net.
The game was quiet up until the 27th minute when it suddenly burst into life. A fantastic 1-2 between Bellerin and Ozil allowed Bellerin to get in behind the midfield, the left backs first touch was beautiful and allowed him to easily skip past Eden Hazard's weak challenge. He then fired a pass into Alexis, just inside the box. Sanchez turned and rocketed a thunderous striker past Courtois into the top corner. 1-0 Arsenal, a perfect start to my managerial career.
The game just got better from my point of view! Straight from Chelsea kicking off, we win the ball back and just run directly at Chelsea's shaky defence. Fabregas got caught out in midfield by Coquelin who put tackled well, he then played the ball wide to Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez switched the play with a gorgeous ball to the feet of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, he then laid off the on rushing Arron Ramsey as he made a good run from deep. Ramsey played a through ball into Walcott who side footed the ball past the keeper coolly. I great decision from me to play Walcott as the striker proven by him getting the second goal against Chelsea to put my team into a commanding lead. 2-0!
When its your day, you just take advantage. That's exactly what my team did! Some good side-line managing from myself encouraged my players to attack and punish Chelsea. This time the deserving Oxlade-Chamberlain gets his name on the score sheet. Alexis Sanchez broke down the wing, running away from Chelsea's dangerous looking attack. Sanchez did really well to get to the byline where he lobbed the ball to the back post where Chamberlain was ready and waiting to sweep in the goal. Fantastic counter by my Arsenal players to make it 3-0 in the Community Shield, just 38 minutes into the game.
On another day we could've had more goals, easily. Chelsea defensively weren't at it and attacking their forwards created little.
Courtois however, was exceptional. Despite conceding 3 goals, he tried his best to give Chelsea hope. He pulled off some world-class saves to prevent my players but maybe if I did have Giroud or another recognised starter striker, then the score line would have been hefty in my favour.
Can you complain about a 3-0 win though? I thought my side played excellently and they were deserved winners.
The stats show that my team were worthy winners at Wembley, with the majority of shots and slight more possession, we made a good account of ourselves and most importantly, won the match 3-0!
I was pleased with the amount of chances we created but I thought that we were disappointing when going into challenges and at aerial duels. A bit of work on the training ground should rectify the problems in our game for when we start the season.
Thank you for being here and joining me for the Community Shield win! Come back tomorrow where we begin the Premier League season, the first game is a belter but a tough one against none other than Manchester City! Can we defeat the Blues from Manchester as we take them on at the Emirates?
Also I will upload an individual post dedicated to the transfer targets and how we are doing in the market.
That's all for now however, thank you and see you soon!
Lee Harwood.
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