Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Community Shield between Chelsea and Arsenal.

It has been nearly two-and-a-half months since the last domestic campaign came to a conclusion, but the annual curtain-raiser for the new season has finally arrived. The Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners go head to head at Wembley Stadium, and it's a repeat of the FA Cup final which Arsenal won back on May 27.

We are only in the eighth month of the year, but these two clubs have already met on three occasions. At the start of 2017, Chelsea came out on top in a league fixture at Stamford Bridge, but they were unable to complete the double when Arsenal denied them in the FA Cup in May. Another showdown in Beijing was also added to the schedule with Chelsea running out convincing winners in China but despite just 15 days passing by since that contest, this match will surely have a different feel to it with the Premier League getting underway in five days time.

Anyway, without further ado, let's crack on with the team news. Both Antonio Conte and Arsene Wenger had big decisions to make over their respective starting lineups.

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Batshuayi, Pedro

CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Rudiger, Christensen, Scott, Boga, Musonda, Morata

ARSENAL XI: Cech, Holding, Mertesacker, Monreal, Bellerin, Xhaka, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Welbeck, Lacazette, Iwobi

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Ospina, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Nelson, Willock, Walcott, Giroud

The main decision that Conte was needed to make was who to select in attack and unsurprisingly, he has opted for Michy Batshuayi over Alvaro Morata. Batshuayi has been fantastic in pre-season whereas record-signing Morata is still building up his fitness since moving to Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard will be introduced at some point in the second half. The bench has an inexperienced look to it, however, with Kyle Scott, Charly Musonda and Jeremie Boga all being included alongside the returning Andreas Christensen and new signings Willy Caballero and Antonio Rudiger. Victor Moses starts despite a one-match ban being enforced next weekend.

As for Arsenal, the big news is that Alexis Sanchez does not feature in Wenger's squad. The Chilean attacker - who has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium - only returned to training on Tuesday but he had been expected to play some part. Alexandre Lacazette features in the number-nine role, but fellow newcomer Sead Kolasinac is only named on the substitutes' bench. There's no Aaron Ramsey or Mesut Ozil due to injury, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock are named among the replacements.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents the 191st competitive meeting between the two sides, with Arsenal registering 74 wins in comparison to 62 victories for Chelsea. Despite Chelsea claiming two Premier League titles and generally performing better than Arsenal in recent years, the last seven matches have led to three wins apeice.

To add to the Chelsea team news, we should of course mentioned that Pedro is making his first start since the friendly with Arsenal on Saturday, July 22. A collison with goalkeeper David Ospina left the Spaniard with "multiple fractures" but he features today, presumably with a mask. It's a significant plus for Chelsea with Eden Hazard still recovering from a fractured ankle.

Well here is your answer to whether Pedro will be wearing a mask...

The Blues are out warming up. 30 mins to go now! #CommunityShield pic.twitter.com/caxTxokGNV — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 6, 2017

With Laurent Koscielny still injured, it has forced Wenger to use the likes of Rob Holding and Per Mertesacker in defence, like he did in the FA Cup final. On that occasion, everyone doubted whether they would be good enough to prevent Chelsea's front three from running riot but they did more than that. They nullified the Blues to such an extent that they only managed to score thanks to a scruffy goal from Diego Costa, who doesn't feature today. Conte had a lot to analyse from their setback in the FA Cup final, and it will be interesting to see how his side approach a game playing against the same stand-in defenders.

This match could be an important game for Batshuayi. Chelsea and Conte are continually linked with a move for Swansea City's Fernando Llorente when they not really handed an opportunity to Batshuayi, who costed over £30m last summer. He had to play second fiddle to Costa throughout last season and there is every suggestion that he will be deputy to Morata for much of this campaign. It goes without saying that he will not want to remain on the substitutes' bench for the majority of Premier League and Champions League contests, so he needs to show that he is worthy of a starting role alongside his fellow forward.

Arsenal are missing a few of their star men this afternoon, but they are still in attendance to support their teammates.

Not in today's squad but here at @wembleystadium to support the lads 👊#WeAreTheArsenal 🔴 pic.twitter.com/DLHi9Nu2Dp — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 6, 2017

PREDICTION! Just 15 days ago, Chelsea dominated Arsenal and while we do not think the scoreline will be as wide, we still cannot back against the Premier League champions. Lacazette will have a point to prove for the Gunners, but so will Batshuayi and Morata and they could lead Chelsea to a narrow 2-1 triumph.

Can you remember when it last rained at a Community Shield? I can't, and it is the same case this afternoon. There's bright sunshine in the capital and let's hope that leads to an entertaining clash.

The two teams have made their way out at Wembley. Pleasantries are currently being exchanged but it will soon be time for the game to get started.

After a period of silence for the families affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy, we are underway at Wembley.

It's been a bright start from both sides. A long ball from Luiz almost caught out the Arsenal defence but once the Gunners regained possession, they attacked directly and put their opponents under pressure.

Chelsea are looking to try to turn both Mertesacker and Monreal in order to exploit their lack of pace. Cech's starting point in his own penalty area is making it difficult for passes to be successful, however.

Iwobi is only in the team due to the absence of Ozil and Sanchez but he has already made an impression. He just glided past Luiz before pulling the ball back for a teammate but Chelsea somehow avoid conceding an early goal.

CHANCE! Arsenal have come out of the traps quickly. A brilliant pass from Xhaka finds the run of Welbeck but his header is weak and straight at Courtois.

The Gunners are continuing to have the better of the opening stages. They are much sharper than the Premier League champions, who look all over the place at the back. It's following a similar pattern to that of the FA Cup final.

BOOKING! Azpilicueta loses possession to Welbeck and it leads to the defender having to pull the shirt of the striker to halt his run. Easy decision for the referee.

BOOKING! A second booking in quick succession after Bellerin goes in late on Alonso. Another simple decision for the official.

I think that we can forget this game being played as a glorified friendly. There have been two yellow cards and both teams are looking to play at a frenetic pace. It's still Arsenal who are having the upper hand.

For the first time in a while, Chelsea have a sustained spell of possession but it only leads to Pedro trying a run which isn't really on. It ends with Arsenal regaining the ball.

WOODWORK! So close for Arsenal. They work an opportunity for Lacazette inside the penalty area and although his curling effort beats Courtois, it strikes the post and goes clear.

Ouch. This is a really nasty one for Mertesacker, who runs straight into the elbow of Cahill. It opens a big cut on the side of his nose. The German was attempting to win the ball in the air but the Sun seemed to be in his eyes.

SUBSTITUTION! That's the end of Mertesacker's afternoon. He will be replaced by Kolasinac. Monreal is likely to move into the centre, with Kolasinac being deployed to the left of the back three.

SHOT! Pedro should probably play in Batshuayi, but his shot from an acute angle forces an excellent save out of Cech at his near post. The move had been started by an outstanding cross-field ball from Willian.

BOOKING! Another caution, this time for Chelsea. Alonso is booked for stopping a breakaway soon after Pedro's shot was saved.

BOOKING! Willian wants a penalty but he is being booked for diving. It's not a penalty but it's not a dive. There was minimal contact from Bellerin which led to the Brazilian kicking the back of his own heel.

Arsenal have come back into it over the past few minutes. The break in play and substitution had broken up their rhythm, but they are back on the offensive now. It's been a highly competitive first half.

SHOT! Iwobi nearly scores what would go down as a worldie. He twisted and turned inside the penalty area before getting a shot away from 14 yards, but it was straight at Courtois.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

The half-time whistle goes at Wembley and we remain goalless. It wasn't a half of chance after chance but it's been a competitive game. Arsenal have gone closest with Lacazette's effort which struck the post.

Before we get going, a reminder that both Conte and Wenger can use six substitutions. Just the one has been needed so far, with Kolasinac replacing Mertesacker.

We are back underway.

What a start to the second half! It's redemption for Moses who was sent off against Arsenal in the FA Cup final. Arsenal failed to clear a corner and after Cahill headed the ball back into the penalty area, Moses reacted fastest to fire home from close range.

CHANCE! Chelsea could easily double their lead. A cross from Fabregas causes all kinds of problems and a miscued volley from Batshuayi ends up being easily claimed by Cech.

SHOT! Arsenal attempt a response through Elneny, but his left-foot volley is always swerving off target. A lot of these players have probably been told that they won't play 90 minutes, hence the rapid start to the second half.

The Blues look increasingly lively at the start of this second half. Conte must have really got into his players at the break. It's probably only a matter of time before we start to see some substitutions.

The Sun is causing all kinds of havoc at one end of the pitch. In what is basically the same spot where Mertesacker was injured, Luiz and Cahill jump into one another and are down receiving treatment.

Both players are back up and ready for action. Arsenal are on the offensive, however, so they are not being given any time to get back settled into the match.

SAVE! This is a stunning save from Courtois, who has to back pedal to prevent Elneny's drilled cross from finding the net.

If there is going to be a second goal, Arsenal look most likely to get it. Only some good defending from Luiz stops a cross being sent into the six-yard box.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Two more changes for Arsenal, with Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud replacing Iwobi and Lacazette.

After Pedro wins a free kick, it sets up Luiz to get a shot on goal but he instead tries a very delicate pass into the area. Alonso collects the second ball but his volley runs through to Cech.

Batshuayi hasn't really taken his opportunity for Chelsea today. His hold-up play has been average at best. It's almost time for Morata.

SUBSTITUTION! That's the end of Batshuayi's afternoon as Morata makes his entrance. This is the first change for Chelsea.

SAVE! We know that Xhaka likes to hit one from distance and he does so here, only to see Courtois pull off an excellent save to his right.

CHANCE! Morata is straight into the action after meeting Willian's pass into the penalty area, but the angle is too tight and his effort goes well over the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION! It's time for another Chelsea summer signing to enter the action, with Antonio Rudiger replacing Alonso.

RED CARD! Everyone was expecting Pedro to be cautioned for a studs-up challenge on Elneny, but he has been sent off! Judging by the replay, it is probably the correct decision.

From the resulting free kick, Xhaka whips in a fine delivery from Kolasinac to power a header into the far corner via the post. Chelsea had looked to catch players offside, but one of their defenders stepped back too early.

SUBSTITUTION! Straight after the goal, Conte introduced Charly Musonda for Willian.

As it stands, we are heading for penalties, but don't be surprised if Arsenal find a late winner. Each of Chelsea's player are back defending in their own half.

SUBSTITUTION! Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson is on for Welbeck, who seems to have picked up a knock.

There will be five minutes of added-on time. It remains all Arsenal, who want to settle this before penalties.

CHANCE! After Chelsea are adjudged to be offside from a free kick, Arsenal counter and Walcott has time to get a shot away on the right-hand side of the box. However, he attempts to cut inside and ends up scuffing an effort through to Courtois.

Penalties are coming right up...

A remainder that the 'ABBA' method will be used in this shootout. Chelsea are going to take the first kick.

Arsenal completely dominate the penalty shootout and win it 4-1. Courtois sent his effort high over the crossbar and Morata clipped the outside of the post.

Based on general play, Arsenal probably deserve their victory ahead of their first league game against Leicester City on Friday night. Chelsea have work to do before they begin their title defence against Burnley a day later.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you soon. Goodbye for now.