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WINNERS TAKE IT ALL

Arsenal 1, Chelsea 1 (4-1 on ABBA pens) – Five things we learnt: Refs could lean on Gary Cahill, Alexandre Lacazette is getting there slowly, Victor Moses is still a little gem

Question marks remain over ABBA penalty shoot-out format and why is it Arsenal still lack distinct leadership on the pitch?

THE Community Shield proved to be more than a decent run-out for both sides.

And Pedro's sending off for Pedro late in the second half certainly spiced things up a bit before Arsenal won the ABBA penalty shoot-out 4-1.

 Arsenal substitute Sead Kolasinac heads in the Arsenal equaliser
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Arsenal substitute Sead Kolasinac heads in the Arsenal equaliserCredit: Rex Features
 Kolasinac takes off on a celebratory run
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Kolasinac takes off on a celebratory runCredit: Rex Features

Not to mention the excitement of a penalty shoot-out at Wembley.

There were just 82 seconds between Pedro's red card and Sead Kolasinac's goal.

So it was certainly dramatic and has cranked up the atmosphere in these closing stages.

Elsewhere, here are five things we learnt:

 

ABBA penalty shoot-out weird by fair

 Gary Cahill blasted home the first penalty under the ABBA shoot-out system
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Gary Cahill blasted home the first penalty under the ABBA shoot-out systemCredit: AFP

The system, based on tennis tie-breaks, saw Chelsea go first in the shoot-out before Arsenal took two in succession.

Each team then took two in a row until the winners emerged.

Hence A-BB-A... no connection with the Swedish hit machine Abba.

The format was strange but exciting, and created a new mood of anticipation.

The ABBA system is supposed to help the team going second. It did... Arsenal won.

 

Gary Cahill could be public enemy No 1

 Arsenal's Per Mertesacker was poleaxed by Cahill's elbow
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Arsenal's Per Mertesacker was poleaxed by Cahill's elbowCredit: Rex Features

The blood pouring from Per Mertesacker's head after he powered into Gary Cahill's elbow could be bad news for the Chelsea defender.

It was an accidental challenge but the incident caused near carnage and referees are almost certain to be keeping a closer eye on Cahill from here on in.

Mertesacker was badly cut above his right eye... welcome to 2017/18.

But it must be repeated that this was an accidental collision, bad as it looked.

 

Alexandre Lacazette needs a game or two to adjust to life in the England

 New boy Alexandre Lacazette goes close for Arsenal
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New boy Alexandre Lacazette goes close for ArsenalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

We're yet to see much of Arsenal's new £45million striker.

He had only had seven touches in the opening 23 minutes first half... but did recover to hit the post with a curling effort.

The problem with playing Lacazette as a lone front man is that he's not a target man.

But his touch and vision looked pretty sharp, so expect to see plenty of goal-scoring action once the chances are set up for him.

 

Victor Moses is everything Jose Mourinho thought he wasn't

 Victor Moses fires past Petr Cech for Chelsea's 47th minute goal
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Victor Moses fires past Petr Cech for Chelsea's 47th minute goalCredit: Rex Features

Scorer Victor Moses could scarcely get a sniff of a first-team place when Jose Mourinho bossed Chelsea.

But when Antonio Conte changed his system last season and employed wing-backs, Moses was his man.

The former Crystal Palace and Wigan player was an instant hit and repaid Conte's gamble in restoring him to the side in spades.

Sent off in the FA Cup final, Moses had his Wembley moment Moses when he took a gamble on where the ball was going to bounce in the run-up to the opening Chelsea goal.

Then he stayed calm and composed to slot his chance past Petr Cech.

 

Arsenal still struggle for leaders

 A battling Alex Iwobi tales on Chelsea's Marcos Alonso and Ngolo Kante
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A battling Alex Iwobi tales on Chelsea's Marcos Alonso and Ngolo KanteCredit: PA:Press Association

Said before... now we're saying it again - Arsenal don't really have any leaders.

Okay, Kolasinac stepped up to the plate once Pedro was sent off and scored a great equaliser.

But someone, for instance, needs to keep Alex Iwobi in check.

The talented youngster always looks undecided whether to shoot or pass and older, experienced head with a loud voice could help him enormously.


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The Gunners never seem to have players prepared to fight it out in the trenches. Once again, this could cost them very dear in the race for the 2017/18 Premier League title.