Arsenal and Chelsea will meet in the Community Shield on Sunday at a sold-out Wembley Stadium.
Here are five things to watch out for.
Alvaro Morat’s arrival from Real Madrid has attracted all the headlines, but it is the bright young Belgian who has been making them during pre-season with three goals in Chelsea’s three games so far – including a brace as the Blues breezed to a 3-0 success against Arsenal in the International Champions Cup in Beijing just 15 days ago.
The 23-year-old was marginalised as Diego Costa’s understudy so it will interesting to see if he gets his chance under Antonio Conte this season. Conte has already stated Morata will be the main central striker, so Batshuayi might have to shine from the flank.
Michy Batshuayi.
Sunday’s game will be only Chelsea’s fourth of the summer – following run-outs against Internazionale, Bayern Munich and Arsenal. By contrast this will be the Gunners’ seventh, while Premier League rivals Manchester United (7) and Liverpool (7) have all played considerably more.
The champions don’t have the easiest start to their title defence, with Tottenham and Everton two of their opening three opponents, while they face a physical test on the opening day away to Burnley. Sunday’s game will invariably help, but Conte might feel his side are still short.
Antonio Conte.
The traditional curtain-raiser to the Premier League season is always a showcase for each side’s new signings, and sunday will be a chance for many fans to get a first glimpse of Alexandre Lacazette and Alvaro Morata.
Morata will replace Diego Costa and aim to finally grow into a prolific goalscorer at Stamford Bridge.
Lacazette, meanwhile, arrives hoping to continue his fine goalscoring record in France. Gunners fans hope he can be the touch of class up front they’ve been desperately missing.
Alexandre Lacazette.
The Gunners switched from Arsene Wenger’s traditional 4-3-3 system to three at the back in March and the move helped the club to a second FA Cup final victory in three years.
And the Frenchman confirmed Arsenal will continue with a 3-4-3 formation. It’s been utilised throughout preseason to varying degrees of success – four wins have been earned in six outings.
Arsene Wenger.
There will be a trial of the ‘ABBA’ system if the match goes to a penalty shootout Sunday.
The order of penalties would see the the team going first in the shootout taking one spot-kick before their opponents take two in succession.
Each side would then continues to take two in a row until a winner is found.
Similar to the switch of serve during tennis tie-breaks, the format is being experimented worldwide in an attempt to address the fact teams which take the first kick in a shootout currently have a 60 per cent chance of winning.
Olivier Giroud.
