Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois warns against a slow start as Premier League champions aim to avoid repeating their 2015-16 meltdown

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Thibaut Courtois has warned Chelsea they cannot afford to start the season slowly if they want to avoid a repeat of the 2015 meltdown.

Under Jose Mourinho, two years ago, the champions did not win a game in pre-season and were beaten by Arsenal in the FA Community Shield.

They never recovered, Mourinho was fired in December, they finished the season in mid-table and Leicester City's title defence followed a similar pattern last season.

Thibaut Courtois has warned Chelsea they cannot afford to start the season slowly

Courtois played in Chelsea's 2015-16 season where after a dreadful start they finished 10th

Courtois says they need to do well in pre-season and against Arsenal in the Community Shield

This year, under Antonio Conte, Chelsea have won two and lost two in pre-season and it is Arsenal again, ready to lock horns in the Shield, at Wembley on Sunday.

Courtois said: 'A good start helps keep that level throughout the season. It happened to us two years ago. We didn't start well, but we can't think about that. We have to move forward and work hard and hope it doesn't happen.

'For Leicester, the year they were champions was extraordinary for them. The year before they struggled until the last week to avoid relegation.

'So for them it was maybe not bad to finish 12th. But for us, our aim is to fight for a title until the last day of the season. If not, to be as high as possible, but obviously with Champions League football.'

Arsenal and Chelsea faced off in China, where Pedro suffered a fractured eye socket

Conte says he does not regard the Community Shield as a friendly. When Arsenal and Chelsea met in a friendly in China earlier this month, Pedro suffered multiple fractures around his eye socket and cheekbone in a collision with David Ospina. There is always an edge to a London derby.

'There is a bit of honour as well,' said Courtois. 'We want to win our games, we want to do well. For example, in the Community Shield, there is a trophy in play.

'People might say it doesn't count at the end of the season but it's still good to start the season with a victory in the Community Shield.'

Chelsea beat Arsenal 3-0 in Beijing but victory at Wembley would help ease a defeat in the FA Cup final which denied them the double.

Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in their last meeting at Wembley, in the FA Cup final last season

'We have to say they were better that day,' said Courtois. 'Arsenal are a good team. Maybe last year they were not at their best up until the last month.

'They raised their level a lot and in the final they played a good game, even though the first goal shouldn't have been allowed. It changed the game but maybe they were on it more than us.'

Chelsea appealed for both offside and handball against Arsenal's opener scored by Alexis Sanchez, who is unlikely to play as he has yet to report back for pre-season.

'I haven't been thinking specifically about that goal during the summer,' said Courtois. 'Just about the fact we lost the chance to win the FA Cup.

Courtois says Chelsea must be wary despite Arsenal likely to be missing Alexis Sanchez

'I haven't won it yet so if you are close to winning it you are disappointed about that. We will just go on trying to win it next year.

'Alexis is a guy with a lot of quality. There is a lot of danger coming from him. He has a very strong shot; he is quick, he has the technique.

'He is important for them but Arsenal have a lot of players with quality. So they will miss him but I think they have a lot of players with that quality to replace him.

'I'd prefer if he doesn't play than if he plays because he is a good player, but we cannot only look to him. They have bought a good new striker.

'In the final, they were missing some defenders and everybody thought they would be bad but Per Mertesacker played a great game that day.'