Arsenal edge out Chelsea on penalties in the Community Shield
Misses from Thibaut Courtois and new boy Alvaro Morata saw Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-1 on penalties after normal time ended 1-1 in which Victor Moses scored the opener and Sead Kolasinac headed in a wonderful floated ball from Granit Xhaka 10 minutes from time.
Kolasinac's goal came right after Pedro was sent off for a late challenge Mohammed Elneny. Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka came the closest to scoring for Arsenal with Lacazette hitting the post and the Swiss international Xhaka forcing a picture-perfect save from Courtois. Chelsea threatened with Pedro on the counter and Morata spurned a late chance. Arsenal however, were caught napping right after the break when Moses finished Gary Cahill's header. Per Mertesacker had to go off after 30 minutes, struck by Gary Cahill's flailing arm in the Arsenal box which resulted in Kolasinac's arrival. Willian was booked for simulation after going down too easily and it was later revealed that the referee had made the right decision.
The best players were undisputedly Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac with the latter taking home the Man of the Match award.
A new ABBA penalty system was used for the first time in which the team taking the first kick in each pair of kicks alternating. Cahill converted the first penalty followed by Walcott blasting his kick into the top corner. Nacho Monreal also scored before Courtois skied his penalty and Morata put it wide. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Giroud scored to seal the Community Shield for Arsenal.
