THE Community Shield proved to be more than a decent run-out for both sides.
And Pedro’s sending off for Pedro late in the second half certainly spiced things up a bit before Arsenal won the ABBA penalty shoot-out 4-1. Not to mention the excitement of a penalty shoot-out at Wembley. There were just 82 seconds between Pedro's red card and Sead Kolasinac's goal. So it was certainly dramatic and has cranked up the atmosphere in these closing stages. Elsewhere, here are five things we learnt:
ABBA penalty shoot-out weird by fair
The system, based on tennis tie-breaks, saw Chelsea go first in the shoot-out before Arsenal took two in succession. Each team then took two in a row until the winners emerged. Hence A-BB-A... no connection with the Swedish hit machine Abba. The format was strange but exciting, and created a new mood of anticipation. The ABBA system is supposed to help the team going second. It did... Arsenal won.
Gary Cahill could be public enemy No 1
The blood pouring from Per Mertesacker's head after he powered into Gary Cahill's elbow could be bad news for the Chelsea defender. It was an accidental challenge but the incident caused near carnage and referees are almost certain to be keeping a closer eye on Cahill from here on in. Mertesacker was badly cut above his right eye... welcome to 2017/18. But it must be repeated that this was an accidental collision, bad as it looked.
Alexandre Lacazette needs a game or two to adjust to life in the England
We're yet to see much of Arsenal's new £45million striker. He had only had seven touches in the opening 23 minutes first half... but did recover to hit the post with a curling effort. The problem with playing Lacazette as a lone front man is that he's not a target man. But his touch and vision looked pretty sharp, so expect to see plenty of goal-scoring action once the chances are set up for him.
Victor Moses is everything Jose Mourinho
Scorer Victor Moses could scarcely get a sniff of a first-team place when Jose Mourinho bossed Chelsea. But when Antonio Conte changed his system last season and employed wing-backs, Moses was his man. The former Crystal Palace and Wigan player was an instant hit and repaid Conte's gamble in restoring him to the side in spades. Sent off in the FA Cup final, Moses had his Wembley moment Moses when he took a gamble on where the ball was going to bounce in the run-up to the opening Chelsea goal. Then he stayed calm and composed to slot his chance past Petr Cech.
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