The first game of the English domestic season takes place at Wembley on Sunday, with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea taking on FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield. This game may be just a glorified friendly, but both teams will certainly be treating it as an opportunity to test themselves a final time before the Premier League gets underway.
Arsenal vs. Chelsea 2015 live stream: How to watch FA Community Shield online
Arsenal and Chelsea will both make short trips to Wembley for Sunday’s Community Shield.
Those in the United States can catch the game online at Fox Sports Go -- as long as your TV provider grants you access to the service -- or via the online-only subscription service Fox Soccer 2Go. Canadians can find the game on Sportsnet World Now, while BT Sport have the action for those in the United Kingdom. There are certainly no excuses for missing out on the action.
Key player -- Petr Čech (Arsenal)
Petr Čech is unlikely to be the player who decides the outcome of this match, but he's going to be the one around whom the journalists spin the narrative. The 33-year-old was one of Chelsea's most familiar faces before his move across London this summer, and it will certainly be bizarre to see him between the sticks at the wrong end of the pitch.
Key matchup -- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain vs. César Azpilicueta
The extended post-Copa América absence of Alexis Sánchez could afford Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the chance to start out wide, with Arsène Wenger having experimented with him more centrally last season. He’s a great talent, and César Azpilicueta could have his hands full trying to keep him quiet if the Ox does start out on the right of the Gunners’ attack.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Tomáš Rosický, Danny Welbeck (knee), Alexis Sánchez (fitness). In doubt: Mathieu Flamini (ankle).
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Diego Costa (hamstring), Gary Cahill (nose).
Arsenal will be without veteran midfielder Tomáš Rosický and striker Danny Welbeck, who both face a race to be fit in time for the start of the Premier League season. Mathieu Flamini is also in doubt, though it remains to be seen whether that’s a real injury or one manufactured while he seals a move away from the Emirates. Chelsea striker Diego Costa and Gary Cahill are both doubts after picking up knocks in preseason.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 3 p.m. local, 10 a.m. ET
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
TV: Fox Sports 1 (U.S. -- English), Fox Deportes (U.S. -- Spanish), Sportsnet World (Canada), BT Sport 2/Ultra HD (U.K.)
See More:
