Well that was one of the few penalty shoot-outs I’ve actually enjoyed.
Just like the FA Cup, Arsenal started far stronger than Chelsea, with Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette, and Alex Iwobi all looking to make a difference.
Iwobi one of the players who I didn't think suited the 3-4-2-1, but in fairness he's been superb so far.
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) August 6, 2017
Very impressed with Arsenal tactically and personality these first 15
— Eddie Benedetti (@EddieBenedetti) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/894199370199040001
However, while the Gunners were looking the better team, they still failed to put their chances away. Something we’ve seen far too often in recent years.
While Arsenal continued to look dangerous, with Danny Welbeck getting a rise out of the Gooners with some fancy foot-work, Chelsea did creep into the game and got forward once or twice during the opening exchanges.
In the 22nd minute, Lacazette hit the post. However, the ball bounced back out to Bellerin and by this time the Chelsea defence had prepared itself for another attack.
What a play by Lacazette. We were so close to score the first goal at Wembley.
— Arsenal Related ™ (@ArsenalsRelated) August 6, 2017
Lacazette!!! Should have got that lol
— Harry Shotta (@HarryShotta) August 6, 2017
Don't care he hit the post, just delighted we've got someone shooting from those angles
— Emperor Bumblewank (@CapableOfFlight) August 6, 2017
That was a great counter from Arsenal #pace
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) August 6, 2017
It all went south a few minutes later though when Per Mertesacker clashed with Gary Cahill’s elbow and had be subbed off to receive treatment.
Sead Kolasinac came on.
Monreal (primarily a left-back) now anchoring #afc's three-man defence with Kolasinac (primarily a left-back) and Holding. 0-0, 32 gone.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) August 6, 2017
Kolasinac looks like a damn tank going at 90 mph #CommunityShield
— Celio (@CelioCyl) August 6, 2017
The shift in personnel meant that Chelsea managed to grow into the game, with Rob Holding and Petr Cech keeping the scoreline at 0-0.
Chelsea were then penalised for diving. Again. This time is was Willian who kicked his own heal and tripped.
https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/894193041837260800
That's excellent refereeing. Could see the dive from here.
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/DailyCannon/status/894191134116917248
Overall, although there were no goals in the first half, Arsenal looked brilliant on the counter-attack and generally looked the more likely to score.
Annoyingly, the second half didn’t start the same way. Arsenal stood still as Chelsea scored the first goal of the game through Victor Moses within minutes of the restart.
I regret to inform you that The Arsenal appear to be at it again
— et tu, Lupoli? (@Bloatyheader) August 6, 2017
Arsenaling.
— Arsenal Related ™ (@ArsenalsRelated) August 6, 2017
Good to see we've had our half-time anaesthetic
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) August 6, 2017
That's the Arsenal we are all used to: 50 minutes of hard work undone by 1 minute of sleep.
— 7amkickoff (@7amkickoff) August 6, 2017
Although the Gunners did continue to get forward, they didn’t look quite as dangerous and Chelsea looked comfortable.
When Arsenal dominate the game but still concede first pic.twitter.com/FT4SPRiur9
— Iman (@nana_alaouie) August 6, 2017
Mohamed Elneny got Gooners out of their seats at Wembley when he almost scored from a cross-come-shot.
Although Lacazette had been sharp throughout, he wasn’t able to score, which led to Arsene Wenger bringing on Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud.
Iwobi was also subbed off.
Granit Xhaka almost scored with a stunning shot late on.
Trust him with the keys https://t.co/VV9aALgndb
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) August 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/DailyCannon/status/894205676435722240
Pedro was shown a straight red after a tackle on Elneny.
Good, sly shitty tackles like that should be a red
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) August 6, 2017
Seconds later, Sead Kolasinac couldn’t have found a better time to score his first Arsenal goal and send the red end of Wembley into hysterics.
Kolasinac's goal. pic.twitter.com/jRC9KfgHxS
— Arsenal Related ™ (@ArsenalsRelated) August 6, 2017
Kolasinac equalises for Arsenal. 1-1. pic.twitter.com/rGVWPva9Mh
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) August 6, 2017
I absolutely bloody love Kolasinac already.
— Tom Todhunter (@tdhntr) August 6, 2017
SEO MY BABY BOY
— Billy Dunmore (@Dunmoreorless) August 6, 2017
Kolasinic is gonna become an Arsenal hero you can just tell lmao
— Wavy Boy Smith! (@MrBigzOfficial) August 6, 2017
@FT_Reaction Kolasinac celebrating his goal pic.twitter.com/ttYJQZJGda
— Pete (@thepagooner) August 6, 2017
Xhaka you beauty
— Lord Bolton (@sir_ianofbolton) August 6, 2017
Reiss Nelson then came on for Welbz minutes before the end.
At full-time, it was still 1-1 and the match went straight to penalties.
The penalties were taking in a new ABBA format, instead of ABAB.
Considering Petr Cech’s record at saving penalties, Arsenal fans were feeling confident.
If Cech saves a penalty to help us win I'll give everyone who RT's this £10
— TheArseneView (@TheArseneView) August 6, 2017
I hope Cech saves something
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) August 6, 2017
However, after Thibaut Courtois and Alvaro Morata missed their penalties and all Arsenal’s lads, Theo Walcott, Nacho Monreal, the Ox and Giroud all netted theirs, we actually bloomin’ won.