The Community Shield was sufficiently even for Liverpool to have won eventually and that is good news for the Premier LeagueIt is the Community Shield. Both sides were very obviously rusty. Both sides were slack in ways one would not expect them to be. Even the spray of shiny streamers to greet the winners felt understated, a little half-hearted. It is probably unwise to draw too many conclusions from a sultry August afternoon at Wembley but, if there is a lesson to be drawn, it is that last season may not be a blip, that there really may not be much between Manchester City and Liverpool.This has the potential to be one of the great rivalries, what Sunderland v Aston...
Arsenal’s new striker had few opportunities to shine in the Community Shield but it should be different when he is flanked by Alexis Sánchez and Mesut ÖzilFor Arsenal the entertainment came in equal measure from the left boot of Thibaut Courtois and the ox-like shoulders of Sead Kolasinac. In the bigger picture Alexandre Lacazette’s slighter frame may carry more of a burden and, although this was no stand-out introduction to English football for their new forward, it will have proved a brisk enough sharpener.That is the requirement, at least. With Alexis Sánchez still kept at a remove from the action there appears no prospect of a quick click into gear for the pair Arsène Wenger hopes will vindicate his decision...
Absence of the injured Eden Hazard was apparent as a substantially weakened team from Stamford Bridge again came up short in a Wembley showpieceIt was only a friendly. That’s a fact that means Pedro will be available for Saturday’s league game against Burnley despite his red card – and it’s also a useful excuse for a largely indifferent display from the Premier League champions. Arsenal may have needed a penalty shootout to win the Community Shield but Chelsea never seemed quite in the game. Quite how troubling that should be depends largely on what stage they are supposed to be at in their preparations, but there are definite causes for concern.Chelsea’s strength last season was the 3‑4‑2‑1 formation that provided...