Chelsea – Arsenal

Hi, and welcome to live commentary of the Community Shield, between Arsenal and Chelsea. Apologies for the delayed start - we've had a few technical difficulties.

Chelsea have grabbed an early lead, Drogba brilliantly controlling a high ball in the area before volleying past Lehmann in the eighth minute.

Arsenal have been pressing hard for the equaliser, with new captain Henry looking particularly dangerous, but Chelsea have so far resisted their efforts.

It's a gorgeous afternoon in Cardiff, with half the pitch bathed in bright sunshine.

Terry is lucky not to give away a free-kick on the edge of the area after bringing down Pires. Referee Webb rules that the England defender got something on the ball.

There is a full and vocal crowd inside the stadium for this match, the traditional curtain-raiser for the Premiership season.

Chelsea have started in the formation that served them so well last season; 4-3-3 with Droga leading the line up front.

Bergkamp forces a save out of Cech as he volleys in a shot from outside the area; Arsenal are certainly working Chelsea's back four.

Robben goes down under a Senderos challenge on the right side of the Arsenal penalty area, but again Referee Webb allows play to go on. No free-kick.

Drogba and Senderos challenge for a bouncing ball; this time the referee does see a foul and Arsenal win the free-kick.

Ljungberg wins a throw off Lampard deep in the Chelsea half. The England midfielder then out-muscles Lauren near the corner flag and wins a goal-kick.

Makelele sparks something of a brawl after a challenge with young Fabregas. Both players are yellow carded for their part in the fracas.

Great play from Makelele in the middle of the park sets up a Chelsea counter attack. Makelele has, of course, recently made himself available for international selection once more, after a period in 'retirement'.

Ljungberg fires in a left-footed shot from around 25 yards out, but Cech allows the ball to curl harmlessly wide of his near post.

A slip by Senderos allows Drogba to win a corner for Chelsea. The young Swiss defender has looked a little uneasy in this first half.

Gudjohnsen, again playing in midfield, slides in on Ljungberg and puts the ball out for a throw. The Chelsea man has been impressive so far, working very hard for his side.

Lehmann comes out of his area to clear the ball in to touch as Drogba closes down. The goalkeeper had to be alert, and he was quick to snuff out the danger.

At times, Arsenal have looked a little sloppy with their passing and control. Perhaps it's just pre-season rustiness.

Makelele is again doing a good job in front of the Chelsea back four; he's a very important player for Mourinho, and he is helping frustrate Arsenal again today.

Bergkamp attempts to cut inside from the left and fire in a right-foot shot, but Ferreira does well to block his effort.

Ferreira then does well to track back and defend as Pires threatens to beat him down the left. In the end, the Arsenal man allows the ball to run out for a goal-kick.

Del Horno is making his competitive debut for Chelsea this afternoon; he looks to be a very pacy and attacking left-back, and has launched a couple of impressive long balls up to Drogba in this first half.

Just a note for you: managers are allowed to make up to SIX substitutions this afternoon. So, prepare to see the likes of SWP, Helb, Reyes and Crespo later on.

Oooh! Toure forces a great save out of Cech, after he ran on to Henry's cute pass on the edge of the area. Corner.

Chelsea easily clear the corner, which is fired in low towards the near post.

A good ball in to the area from Lauren is just cut out by Terry, with Henry looming.

Drogba is caught off-side, but he continues to run in on goal. Lehmann robs him of the ball and sends him toppling to the turf. Drogba then rolls around holding his knee, and looks in some pain.

The Ivory Coast striker is quickly back on his feet and has a few words for Lehmann, who looks distinctly unimpressed. Drogba is fuming, but replays show there was very little contact with either Lehmann or Lauren, who had tracked back with Drogba.

Drogba is finally back on the field, though he is still very angry about the challenge from Lauren and Lehmann.

Flamini finds some space in the Chelsea area, and wins a corner for his side when his low cross is put out of play.

A sliced shot from the edge of the area by Senderos almost finds its way to Henry, six yards out; Del Horno is aware enough to spot the danger and head out for a throw.

Ljungberg is caught off-side after a neat pass through to him by Pires. The two Arsenal wide players seem to have been given license to roam all the way across the pitch this afternoon; rarely have they stuck to the flanks.

Chelsea win a free-kick 35 yards out after a little push by an Arsenal defender. Lampard places the ball, though Robben seems interested also...

Lampard takes an enormous run up, but drags his shot well wide of Lehmann's right-hand post. A poor effort.

Crespo is warming up on the sidelines; an indication that we might be seeing him after half-time.

Henry flicks the ball in to the area, spins, and fires a low volley towards goal, but Cech gathers easily.

HALF-TIME: Both sides seem below-par, but that's understandable. Chelsea's defence has been resolute, and Arsenal already seem a little short of ideas as to how to break them down.

ARSENAL SUBS: Bergkamp, Pires, Flamini off; Van Persie, Hleb, Gilberto on.

Three half-time changes for Arsenal, including a competitve debut for Alexander Hleb. He will begin the second half on the left wing.

Chelsea begin the second half. They haven't made any changes as yet, as Mourinho looks to give his first-choice side a chance to impress him.

Van Persie gets an early touch and wins a throw for his side. He scored a couple of great goals here in Cardiff last season, against Blackburn in the FA Cup semi-final.

Gilberto is brought down by Gudjohnsen, who was attempting to rob the Arsenal man of the ball in his own half.

Ljungberg attempts to clip a cross in to the middle from the right-hand flank, but Del Horno manages to block and Cech claims under no pressure.

Hleb gets his first touch, running at the Chelsea defence before laying a simple pass in towarads Henry. The attack is easily broken up.

Henry attempts to chip a ball in to the area, towards Ljungberg, but he overhits it and Cech collects easily.

Gudjohnsen feeds a superb ball down the line for Robben to chase. The winger cuts inside, but Cole tracks back and slides the ball out for a corner.

Henry knocks the ball past Ferreira and attempts to sprint past the Chelsea defender. But Ferreira shows good pace and calmly knocks the ball back to his goalkeeper.

Wenger looks deep in thought on the Arsenal bench; his side are a little off the pace so far this afternoon.

Arsenal attempt to play their way through the middle with some neat touches around the edge of the area. Gallas and Terry stand firm, though, and Arsenal are forced back.

Henry tees up Gilberto on the edge of the area, but the Brazilian midfielder's shot is sliced wide.

A number of Chelsea substitute's warm up on the touchlines, Crespo included.

Del Horno does very well to tackle Henry as the Arsenal skipper danced past a couple of challenges and approached the edge of the area.

Hleb is looking very impressive in possession; he is very neat and tidy with the ball, and seems a strong runner, too.

GOAL! Drogba sprints on to Gudjohnsen's flicked header, holds off Senderos, Lauren and Lehmann's challenges before spinning and firing a shot in to the roof of the net.

Drogba did so well to stay on his feet under some strong challenges from the Arsenal defenders; he was initially fended off by Lehmann, but showed great determination to finally get his shot away.

CHELSEA SUBS: Drogba, Gudjohnsen off; Crespo and Thiago on.

So, two-goal star Drogba is replaced by Crespo up front for Chelsea, with Thiago slotting in to midfield as he switches with Gudjohnsen.

Drogba's performance today will surely convince Mourinho that he is the man to lead the Chelsea attack - although Crespo has a chance to impress in this final half-hour.

Makelele is caught off-side as he attempts to burst in to the right-side of the Arsenal penalty area. A rare run forward from the French holding midfielder.

Chelsea look much stronger, physically, than Arsenal this afternoon; both sides are unbeaten in pre-season, but Chelsea will surely start the season with a bit more momentum than their rivals.

Robben sprints on to a through ball from Lampard, but Referee Webb had already blown for a foul on the England midfielder as he clipped the ball down the line. Chelsea aren't happy; they wanted the referee to play the advantage, with Robben through on goal.

Arsenal haven't looked very impressive in the centre of defence this afternoon; Senderos and Toure haven't had their best games. Perhaps that will be the area that will most concern Wenger.

GOAL! Fabregas slides home from six yards after Ljungberg had scuffed a low cross in from the right-hand side.

Arsenal reacted with great verve and determination to that goal; they sprinted to get the ball out of the net and get the game started again. They really want to win this match.

It was a scruffy goal, but one that Arsenal just about deserve; they have had a lot of the possession, but that is only the second real chance they have created.

Crespo is making some excellent runs, breaking the Arsenal defensive line. He is caught off-side through the middle this time, but he looks sharp.

Cole just manages to cut out Duff's low cross, with Robben waiting behind him. Corner, but Lehmann comes a long way out to collect the high centre.

Hleb attempts to turn and work some space on the edge of the area, but a Chelsea defender sticks out a boot and flicks the ball back to Cech.

SUB: SWP on, Robben off. SWP comes on for the final twenty minutes; his debut for the Blues. He cost £21million from Manchester City, and will be keen to make an immediate impact.

Wenger was keen on signing SWP himself, but claims he was priced out of the market by Chelsea's millions.

Del Horno slides in to halt an Arsenal attack down the right-hand side. He has impressed me this afternoon.

SWP teases Cole for a moment or two out on the right wing, before laying a simple pass back to a colleague. He's a diminutive figure, but so difficult to get the ball off.

ARSENAL SUB: Ljungberg off, Senderos off; Reyes, Cygan on. Arsenal are giving plenty of players the chance to enjoy a competitive run-out this afternoon.

Crespo is caught off-side again as he attempts to sprint on to another early Chelsea ball through the middle. They are very quick to launch passes forward, in an attempt to catch the Arsenal defence off-guard.

CHELSEA SUB: Joe Cole on, Duff off. Cole was excellent at the end of last season, but will be forced to fight hard for a place in the team following the arrival of SWP.

Hleb cuts in from the right flank, lays a pass in to the path of Van Persie, but the Dutchman's strike is scuffed wide of the post.

Again, Crespo is caught off-side, though replays show that he was a yard on-side. A tough call, but Crespo is really playing on the shoulder of the last defender.

Lampard attempts an audacious long shot, but he slices it well wide of Lehmann's goal.

This time, it's SWP who is caught off-side as he attempted to latch on to a long diagonal ball to the right wing.

The pitch here at the Millennium Stadium hasn't really helped flowing football this afternoon; it seems to be very soft, and the grass a little longer than usual.

ARSENAL SUB: Lauren off, Hoyte on. A run-out for the young right-back, who played a few games for the first team at the end of last season.

Gallas gingerly gets to his feet after a challenge inside his own area; after a few tentative steps, he seems okay.

Cygan's clearance is charged down; it falls to Crespo, but the striker can't quite get the ball out from under his feet in time.

SWP fires a first-time pass out to Crespo on the left-wing. He lays the ball in to Cole, but the England midfielder's shot is blocked on the edge of the area.

Del Horno is penalised for a trip on Reyes as the two Spaniards sprinted towards the Chelsea goal. Free-kick, 25 yards out, slightly right-of-centre.

Van Persie fires a left-foot shot goalwards, but Cech has a great view and collects easily.

Lampard is yellow carded after diving in on Van Persie out on the right touchline. It was something of a needless challenge at this stage of the match.

Gallas and Makelele combine to see off Hleb's dart through the middle; the ball is then swept up-field, where Cole is forced to make a good challenge against Crespo as Chelsea broke.

SWP does superbly to fire over a cross from a tight angle, though Cole's attempted volley is sliced horribly.

Cole collects a ball through the middle, spins away from a challenge, but his right-foot shot from 25 yards flies well wide of Lehmann's post.

Strangely, Crespo opts not to send over a cross towards Cole in the Arsenal area; instead, he takes the ball towards the corner flag, seemingly to waste some time. He wins a corner.

Joe Cole seems to have a nice tan; he's obviously spent much of his summer sunning himself on a yacht somewhere in the Mediterrenean Sea.

Henry latches on to a loose ball on the edge of the Chelsea area, though his shot isn't struck with a great deal of power and Cech saves low down.

Fabregas tries to turn away from three Chelsea defenders, but is brought down in the process. Free kick, 25 yards out, right-of-centre...

Van Persie and Reyes stand over the ball...

After a great deal of pushing and shoving in the wall, Van Persie fires a low ball in to the box, but Chelsea stand firm and clear the danger.

Arsenal are pushing forward in numbers in search of this equaliser; this might be a friendly, but neither side wants to lose.

Three minutes of stoppage time will be played.

Gilberto volleys high over the bar from the edge of the area after getting on the end of a clearing header.

CHELSEA SUB: Geremi on, Lampard off. A meaningless substitution, with only seconds remaining.

SWP dances past Cygan, but Cole is quick to get back and rob the little winger. Fabregas gives the ball away to Cole, thirty yards out, but Lauren is alert enough to slide in and clear for a corner.

FULL-TIME: A friendly it might be, but both sides were desperate to win and played with admireable determination. Chelsea were the better side; quicker, stronger and more direct. Arsenal can take a lot of pluses from the match, but face a tough challenge to catch Chelsea again this season.