Arsenal have the perfect opportunity to amp up the pressure on defending Premier League champions before the season starts when the Gunners take on the Blues in the Community Shield 2017 tie at Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea, repeatedly stymied in the transfer market, have had a poor pre-season with manager Antonio Conte reportedly fed up at their lack of progress over their pursuits.
Arsenal, notably beaten 3-0 by the Blues, have blown hot and cold themselves and despite an overflowing treatment table, have a slight edge over their arch-rivals and Arsene Wenger will be backing his side to clinch the win.
Arsenal
All summer, talk of Alexis Sanchez’ future has been a hot topic and with less than a month to go before the deadline, it seems Arsene Wenger will have his way and the winger will stay, for another season at least.
The Chilean isn't match fit, however, but could make a cameo on Sunday. Sanchez may not start, but club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette certainly will and the early signs from the French striker have certainly been promising.
With Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all supporting Lacazette, the Gunners attack is a daunting one indeed. However, they are struggling with injuries in midfield and with this being a derby, will need Aaron Ramsey to recover in time for Sunday.
Their defence, almost always breached against Chelsea, is faring better in terms of injuries but in case Shkodran Mustafi will be unable to play, Laurent Koscieny will have to be entrusted with keeping Chelsea’s forwards quiet.
Talking Corner: He is a winner. When he goes on the football pitch, he wants to win. He is a guy who loves football-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Alexis Sanchez
Injury concerns: Mesut Ozil (ankle), Aaron Ramsey (muscular problems), Alexis Sanchez (match fitness), Santi Cazorla (ankle), Gabriel Paulista (knee), Francis Coquelin (knee), Jack Wilshere (fracture) Shkodran Mustafi (match fitness)
Suspension Alert: None
Chelsea
Their title rivals seem to have stolen a march on them in the transfer markert, something Conte has alluded to in recent weeks. Alvaro Morata is struggling to get into a rhythm since his move from Real Madrid and fellow summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko is unavailable, as is star man Eden Hazard.
Technically just two injuries, but with wantaway striker Diego Costa effectively exiled, the Blues are a little short in options up top.
Without the injured Hazard, they are lacking that extra edge in attack and while many don’t agree with Costa’s on-the-edge style, there is no denying it is mighty effective, especially against Arsenal.
Morata isn’t alone of course, with Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings in midfield against his former club and will be another man to keep an eye out for, along with the jet-heeled duo of Willian and Pedro.
Talking Corner: Chelsea and Arsenal are not in the best form because we are in the first part of the season, but we want to play a really good game with high intensity and prepare for the start of the season-Blues manager Antonio Conte
Injury concerns: Eden Hazard (ankle), Tiemoue Bakayoko (knee)
Suspension Alert: None
Super Stat: The first-ever Community Shield tie between Chelsea and Arsenal took place in 2005 and ended 2-1 in the Blues’ favour!