Arsenal’s pre-season has been almost ideal, with the Gunners seemingly having no cobwebs to shake off and swiping aside all comers ahead of the new campaign.
With the Asia Trophy and Emirates Cup accolades in the bag ahead of last weekend’s Community Shield, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first-half strike ensured momentum is firmly with the Gunners ahead of the resumption of competitive action.
Although bragging rights against a London neighbour and the winning of a piece of silverware are both key benefits to the 1-0 victory, the removal of a supposed hex between the clubs could well be the most important thing.
Ahead of the meeting at Wembley, Jose Mourinho possessed an imposing personal track record against equivalent Arsene Wenger, with the French manager never having beating the Portuguese during their mutual time as Premier League chiefs.
With the ill-feeling between the pair and Mourinho’s constant desire to stoke the flames with inflammatory comments in the press, Wenger will surely have longed for the victory that little bit more and the win would have tasted just that little bit sweeter.
In the aftermath of the game, the press have once more touted the Gunners as worthy title challengers, with the North London outfit hitting their stride at the right time and seemingly set to be a force to be reckoned with in 2015-16.
Regardless of this, most of the Emirates Stadium faithful will take the praise and heightened expectations with a pinch of salt – they, and Arsenal, have been here before.
Since the memorable Invincibles team of 2003-04, Wenger and the Gunners have been close to retaining the Premier League title but for one reason or another have ben pipped at the post by a competitor.
Even last season, when the North Londoners were unplayable in prolonged periods of the campaign, a lack of consistency and the inability to grind out results when it really mattered cost them the crown.
There is no doubting that Arsenal’s track record against English football’s biggest teams has improved over the last 12 months, with memories of the heavy defeats against Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool from the season prior starting to fade.
Beating the Blues and their outspoken leader Mourinho is certainly the next step in Arsenal’s evolution from nearly-men to champions but there is still a lot to prove for the Gunners.
Talk of Arsenal’s title credentials being increased is natural, the return of Alexis Sanchez will make the team stronger and on their day they arguably play the best football in the English game.
However, despite Mourinho no longer having a hex over him after the weekend’s result, Arsene Wenger will know that Chelsea are still the team to beat if Arsenal are to become 2015-16 champions.
