Fuente : Arsenal
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ARSENAL:Arsenal v Chelsea

/noticias.info/ There are no points at stake in Cardiff on Sunday but the Community Shield still holds plenty of significance for Arsène Wenger.

The Arsenal manager has a proud record against Chelsea with just three Cup defeats in 27 meetings. Another positive result will lay down a marker for Arsenal's quest to wrench the title from Chelsea's grasp this season.

"Sunday is an important game for us because we want to see where we stand tactically and technically," said Wenger at his pre-match press conference.

"Chelsea have won the championship so they are the team to beat but we start again from scratch. One year ago it was us, last year it was them, next year it will be somebody else.

"The most important factor is the quality of the game and the players and the spirit, but we have a good team and are in a position to rival Chelsea.

"Last season we had two interesting games and we never suffered quality-wise compared to Chelsea. I don’t for a second think we will on Sunday."

Victory is hardly a good omen at the traditional curtain-raiser to the new campaign. In the past 20 years, only Manchester United (twice) and Liverpool have won the Shield and gone on to clinch the title in the same season.

Having said that, an Arsenal win may dispel the doubters who question their capacity to bridge the gap with Chelsea after selling Patrick Vieira this summer.

Wenger has every faith in his team to adapt to life without their former captain.

"Patrick is a big name, we lost a big name, but when he came here he had no name and nobody knew him. I have players at this club who are not big names but they can make it because they have the quality.

"We also have experienced players. Jens Lehmann, you cannot say he is a beginner, Lauren, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Kolo Toure, Gilberto, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp. We are already at 10.

"We have a choice, we either take it as a challenge to become stronger together or we feel sorry for ourselves and we have no chance. There is no other option but to say 'let's come together and show our strength'. We can be stronger as a unit."

Henry will lead Arsenal out at the Millennium Stadium and Wenger believes his new skipper is the ideal man for the job.

"It is unusual for a striker [to be captain] but he is a quality player. He is a world class player, respected everywhere and he has always shown a big commitment in his statements to the Club. He is the first guy you put on the team sheet.

"He was already captain for some games last year so he could already smell what could happen."

Wenger has virtually a fully-fit squad to pick from on Sunday. Sol Campbell is still recovering from a calf injury but Gilberto, yet to play since returning from the Confederations Cup, could be among the substitutes.

Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Gael Clichy all emerged unscathed from their first pre-season appearance in midweek and will all be considered for selection. notas_de_prensa_archivo