Arsenal signal intent with Chelsea scalp

"Continuity" was the key word for Arsène Wenger after his Arsenal side pipped Chelsea to the FA Community Shield, but there was an unmistakable hint of novelty to their Wembley win. Having finally beaten a team coached by José Mourinho at the 14th attempt, Wenger's men will surely be looking to launch serious bids for UEFA Champions League and Premier League glory this term.

The traditional curtain-raiser to the season was decided by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's fine 24th-minute strike, the England midfielder turning inside César Azpilicueta before launching a fine shot high into the far corner. With the Gunners restricting Chelsea to few chances – Ramires missing a first-half header and Eden Hazard blasting over after the break – there was much for Wenger to appreciate on a sunny afternoon in the capital.

"Overall it's good because in pre-season we've been very solid defensively and that's a good basis to go into the new season," said the Frenchman, whose charges kick off their league campaign at home to West Ham next Sunday and await the UEFA Champions League group stage draw on 27 August. "We have continuity from what we did last season and we have no big injuries at the moment."

Petr Čech faced his former side©AFP

Their one major addition has been the signing of Petr Čech, and the former Chelsea goalkeeper helped bring a measure of composure to the Arsenal back line, while also batting away a free-kick from Oscar with 21 minutes remaining. "Every goalkeeper wants to achieve [clean sheets]," added Wenger. "In the second half of last season, we conceded only 13 goals in 19 games, so we had already improved our record. Hopefully we can do it again."

For all the talk of carrying on from where they left off, the 33-year-old Czech international could well prove the missing piece in the jigsaw for the FA Cup holders, whose defensive frailty was exposed by Monaco in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 last season. For Oxlade-Chamberlain, the new face in their squad will undoubtedly galvanise the Gunners as they look to progress further in Europe and clinch a first league title since 2003/04.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain enjoys his Wembley winner©AFP

"Petr Cech was an amazing player for so many years, and to come in this season and do what he's done so far has been brilliant," said the 21-year-old. "He's lifted the squad, he brings that experience with him and he's a great signing for us. There is a really good feeling about this season, but you never want to speak too soon as there's a long way to go."

Mourinho would surely concur, with his team set for another challenge on multiple fronts. Despite their comfortable Premier League triumph last term, the Blues are still smarting from their UEFA Champions League last-16 exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, and they have added Radamel Falcao to their forward line as they vie for what would be Mourinho's third UEFA Champions League title with three different clubs.

The on-loan Colombia forward was introduced at half-time after an unconvincing 45 minutes from Loïc Rémy, but he failed to influence the game as he looks to put a disappointing season with Manchester United behind him. Nevertheless, Mourinho felt his players could be content with their Wembley run-out.

"We were the best team, the team that had more initiative and controlled the game by having good ball possession," he said. "But we know that at this moment of the season, when a team is behind, the energy and intensity to turn results around is more difficult because people are not sharp.

"Arsenal played with a very low bloc," added the Portuguese. "They defended with ten men and they put everyone in front of their own line with good organisation, so congratulations." If Wenger's men are now receiving praise for their rigour at the back, this could be a very interesting season indeed.