Arsenal vs Chelsea. FA Community Shield.
Wembley StadiumAttendance83,325.
Sunday 6 August 2017 13:27, UK
Alexis Sanchez is a doubt for Arsenal when they face Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).
The Chile international only returned to training on Tuesday following an extended leave of absence after taking part in the Confederations Cup.
Sanchez, who looks set to stay with the club despite having just a year left on his contract, has also had the flu.
However, Wenger said: "He is good, as you can see from training. He had a good rest, so he needs to work on his fitness but once he is in a game he is sharp. He doesn't look like he has been away."
Arsenal and Chelsea met in the final game of the 2016/17 season when the Gunners won the FA Cup final 2-1 at Wembley.
The result denied Chelsea a double in Antonio Conte's first season in charge.
"It was a pity to lose the game, to lose the FA Cup final against Arsenal after a really great season for us," said the Chelsea boss.
"We're expecting a very difficult game for us and want to try to start the season with a win.
"We know very well Arsenal are a strong team. I think the friendlies have ended for us. This is an official game and the first trophy of the season. It's an important game, for sure."
Conte rates Sunday's opponents as rivals for the Premier League even though the Gunners last won the title in 2003/04.
"I consider Arsenal one of the six teams ready to fight to win the title," he said. "I consider Arsene Wenger one of the best coaches. He had a lot of time to build his team, his squad."
Jack Wilshere will definitely miss the match for Arsenal with a leg injury as will Francis Coquelin and long-term absentees Gabriel and Santi Cazorla.
Wenger has a decision to make on whether to include Sanchez and Shkodran Mustafi following their Confederations Cup exertions but Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil should overcome minor knocks to be involved. Club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette and new defensive arrival Sead Kolasinac could feature.
Eden Hazard (broken ankle) and Tiemoue Bakayoko (knee) are Chelsea's only injury absentees.
Victor Moses is available before his suspension in the Premier League opener with Burnley while striker Diego Costa remains in exile as he seeks an exit.
The last time these two sides were in the Community Shield was in 2015 - Arsenal winning 1-0 thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's strike.
The last three Community Shield matches have been won by the previous season's FA Cup winners, with Arsenal winning in 2014 and 2015, and Manchester United last year.
Not including occasions when the trophy was shared, Arsenal have won the Community Shield 13 times - second only to Manchester United with 18.
The Blues have lost their last three Community Shield matches, last triumphing on penalties in 2009 against Manchester United.
Arsenal have won their last seven games at Wembley - the longest ever winning club run at the ground.
The last time Arsenal failed to win at Wembley was the 2013/14 FA Cup semi-final vs Wigan (1-1), while the last side to beat them there was Birmingham in the 2010/11 League Cup final.
This will be Arsene Wenger's 20th game in charge of Arsenal at Wembley Stadium (W12 D2 L5). Away from Highbury or the Emirates, he's won more games at this ground than any other in his 21 years at Arsenal.
