The appetizer will be served this Sunday.
Arsenal will face Chelsea in the Community Shield, which annually heralds the start of a new Premier League campaign.
Appetizers are appetizers. Nothing more. They are not the main course.
The last time eventual champions began the season with the Shield was in 2010. Of the last 20 winners, only six teams went on to win the title.
When asked to describe Sunday’s clash, Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho said: “I think it’s in between. It’s more than a friendly, like with Barcelona vs PSG friendlies last week, but it’s less than a league game. Different motivation.”
Arsene Wenger’s motivation is starkly different. His record against Mourinho is not a proud one.
The Frenchman has faced Mourinho 13 times in the past and has never triumphed. On the occasion of his 1,000th game in charge, his birthday present at Stamford Bridge was a 6-0 humiliation.
If the Gunners win at Wembley, not only will it signal their intentions for the new season, it will remove an ageing monkey off Wenger’s back.
It’s not as if a loss will matter to the Portuguese.
”I’ve never made a special thing about wins over Arsenal,” Mourinho declared.
“I don’t explode with happiness when I beat them, and I won’t make drama when lose.”
You never quite know if Mourinho is up to his usual mind games or he is just being realistic. But the Gunners have been in good form all pre-season and it would not be a surprise if they finally overcome Chelsea.
Having taken Petr Cech from their rivals, Wenger has brought in an experienced, steady figure between the sticks, who could prove to be a point-saver as the new season unfolds.
Kick off is 3pm. Make sure your wine glasses are filled, because this is one appetizer that will keep you rooted to your seat.
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