Shields up

four fronts and Chelsea desperately need to change the momentum.

It does feel too negative, even Alvaro Morata – their biggest signing of the summer at £67million – was only a substitute and the way they allowed Arsenal to come back will be a major worry.

Arsenal played well, they showed a spirit lacking from Chelsea’s display at times and Conte’s mood was as downbeat as Arsene Wenger’s optimism after winning the trophy with a penalty shoot-out.

Conte had every right to complain about Willian being booked for diving rather than being awarded what looked like a clear first-half penalty.

And he had a point about the 81st-minute red card for Pedro after the Chelsea winger raked his studs

JOHN CROSS ARSENAL WIN 4-1 ON PENALTIES

down Mohamed Elneny’s Achilles. It was, after all, a friendly. A yellow, quiet word and substitution should surely have sufficed.

But that was the cue for Arsenal to snatch an equaliser from the resulting free-kick, Granit Xhaka’s wonderful delivery picking out sub Sead Kolasinac who marked an impressive debut with a close-range header.

Arsenal lifted the FA Cup in May, Olivier Giroud’s winning spot-kick clinched the Community Shield but their sights must be higher.

Even so, the traditional curtainraiser can set the tone and that will be the worry for Chelsea and the hope for Arsenal. Wenger’s men looked sharp from the start, Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck very lively while Alexandre Lacazette hit the post.

Arsenal were the better team first half despite losing Per Mertesacker after his clash of heads with Gary Cahill. His 32nd-minute replacement Kolasinac looked rock solid and ready made for the Premier League.

After the break, Willian’s corner resulted in a poor clearance from Xhaka, Cahill headed the ball back and Victor Moses fired home.

From red card villain in May to