It's the FA Community Shield at Wembley and we've picked five things to try and spot

Friday 04 Aug 2017

It’s the return of the FA Community Shield supported by McDonald’s on Sunday, as Emirates FA Cup winners Arsenal take on Premier League champions Chelsea.

The traditional curtain-raiser for the new season at Wembley often throws up memorable matches and the London rivals served up a classic Cup Final at the same venue in May.

Arsene Wenger’s men ran out as 2-1 winners on that occasion, but it’s now a new season with new optimism and changes to both teams from over the summer.

Aside from the game itself, there’s plenty of other things going on at Wembley too, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled and here are a few clues…

New signings on show: Lacazette, Bakayoko, Morata

A week before the Premier League returns, we get a sneak preview of all the new faces set to strut their stuff at the Emirates Stadium and Stamford Bridge this term. Both clubs have broken their transfer records to bring in forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Alvaro Morata – costing a combined £110m – but can they hit the ground running?

Despite going close to a league and cup double last term, Chelsea’s team could have a very different look about it this season with defender Antonio Rudiger and midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko also on board.

Arsene Wenger will be hopeful Lacazette and full-back Sead Kolasinac can appease those in the red half of north London that were baying for his blood last term.

Both managers have very different reasons to want an instant impact.

Choir for Grenfell

In June, the nation were united by disbelief and sadness as, little more than five miles from Wembley Stadium, the 24-storey Grenfell Tower caught fire, killing and injuring dozens.

Proceeds from The FA Community Shield supported by McDonalds including Arsenal and Chelsea will be donated to support all those affected, a figure it is hoped will reach £1.25m.

Ahead of kick-off, the ‘Choir for Grenfell’ will gather together on the Wembley pitch to perform Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, re-recorded with a cluster of music stars, in support of the London Community Foundation.

ABBA set for Wembley

A penalty shootout has been required to decide the winners of the FA Community Shield four times since the turn of the century.

And, should the same happen on Sunday, fans will witness a new format for penalties to be taken, first seen during international competitions during the summer and it’s the first time the new format will be used competitively in this country.

The ‘ABBA’ format is similar to a tennis tie-break in which, after the first spot-kick, teams that take two penalties at a time, removing any possible advantage of being first or second to step up.

The days of sharing the Shield are long gone, now the winner takes it all.

1st kick – Team A 2nd kick – Team B

3rd kick – Team B 4th kick – Team A

5th kick – Team A 6th kick – Team B

7th kick – Team B 8th kick – Team A

9th kick – Team A 10th kick – Team B

11th kick – Team B 12th kick – Team A, and so on…

Both teams will take five kicks, after which a knock-out process will apply.

Emergency Services' honour

After their role in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster, our Emergency Services will be involved at the Shield on Sunday both before and after the game.

Pre-match will see Steve Apter (London Fire Brigade) carry the FA Community Shield, Francesca Elliott (Met Police) bring the Emirates FA Cup and Trevor Walding (London Ambulance) present the Premier League Trophy to the crowd before the teams emerge.

And after the game is settled, their colleagues Richard Welch (London Fire Brigade), Hayley Newman (London Ambulance) and Adrian Daniel (Met Police) will take the Shield, the winners medals and the runners-up medals to the Royal Box ahead of the presentations.

FA Community Award winners

Prior to the game, there will be a whole host of grassroots heroes at Wembley for the FA Community Awards supported by McDonald’s. The annual ceremony takes place at the national stadium before kick-off, as some of the unsung stars of our national game are rewarded for their work at grassroots level. With the nominees announced earlier this year and the winners named, the prestigious recipient of the People’s Award will also be named and will join the other heroes with their awards on the pitch at half time. Make sure you give them all a firm round of applause!

By FA Staff

Five things...