Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain opened the scoring in style for Arsenal in their Community Shield clash against Chelsea this afternoon.
The England international was handed a start on the right-hand side of Arsenal’s midfield, with Theo Walcott given an opportunity through the middle for the traditional season curtain-raiser.
And the two former Southampton trainees combined to give the Gunners a 24th-mintue lead which they managed to maintain until the half-time break.
Walcott spread the ball to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who cut inside full-back Cesar Azpilicueta and thumped a left-footed shot into the top corner to end Arsenal’s 505-minute goal drought against Chelsea.
The 21-year-old does not have a great scoring record since moving to the Emirates Stadium. He has netted 12 goals in 116 Arsenal outings, although 49 of those have come as a substitute.
However, he does have a history of scoring at Wembley, having opened his international account for the Three Lions with their fifth and final goal in a 2012 thrashing of San Marino in World Cup qualifying.
With Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck fitness doubts for the Premier League opener against West Ham United, as ESPN reports, Oxlade-Chamberlain will hope that this goal will earn him another start.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is yet to beat Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho in 13 attempts, but the signs are good, with Blues legend Petr Cech yet to be severely tested in the Gunners’ goal.
SEE MORE:
Community Shield preview: Arsenal & Chelsea combined XI
Chelsea squad numbers: Radamel Falcao to take No.9, Juan Cuadrado changed
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