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Score-line: Chelsea (Antonio Rudiger 5') 1-1 Arsenal (Alexandre Lacazette 90+3'); 5-6 on penalties
Arsenal emerged 6-5 victors over Chelsea on penalties in the International Champions Cup tie at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, after the two teams were inseparable at the end of normal time on the night. Chelsea started the game brightly and were provided a huge boost by Callum Hudson-Odoi's performances early on that led to a corner as early as in the 5th minute which proved to play a crucial role in the opening goal of the game.
Cesc Fabregas managed to plant the set-piece on Antonio Rudiger's head after the German had quickly lost his marker in the form of Emil Smith-Rowe, who started ahead of Aaron Ramsey. Hudson Odoi would go on to see plenty of the ball in the following minutes and left Hector Bellerin for dead just 10 minutes later, forcing the Spaniard to concede a silly penalty in the process.
Alvaro Morata, who stepped up to shoulder the responsibility, disappointed with a weak effort on goal that allowed Petr Cech to make a defining save to keep the score-line at 1-0 in the 15th minute. Arsenal slowly settled into the game and created a number of chances down the right flank before ending the first half on a positive note albeit trailing by the solitary goal.
Unai Emery's second half changes helped the Gunners regain control over their bitter rivals but they were forced to wait up until the final minute of the game to find the equalizer despite knocking on the doors for so long.
Alexandre Lacazette's finish following a low cross from Reiss Nelson meant that the game would go on to penalties and Ruben Loftus Cheek's missed penalty helped Arsenal edge the game in their favour after six spot-kicks each for both sides.
Arsenal still has a game against Lazio to cap off their pre-season while Chelsea faces Manchester City in the Community Shield next before wrapping up their International Champions Cup campaign against Lyon at Stamford Bridge next week. On that note, let's take a closer look at the major talking points from the game:
#1 Arsenal end International Champions Cup campaign on a high
Unai Emery's preparatory games are now almost officially over as Arsenal prepare for the dawn of a new era without the notable presence of Arsene Wenger at the Emirates.
The Gunners' only remaining game of pre-season is a friendly against Lazio, scheduled to be held on the 4th of August at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
Arsenal can boast of victories over both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the International Champions Cup with their only loss of the tournament coming against Atletico Madrid on penalties, a relatively comforting start under the new manager at the helm.
Despite taking away a number of positives from this tournament, Emery and Arsenal will know that the real challenge lies ahead as they prepare for the opening weekend in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola's defending champions, Manchester City, will provide Emery with his biggest test yet on the opening day of the Premier League at the Emirates, to kick-start what could become a challenging season for the North London outfit.
#2 Chelsea need Emerson, maybe now more than ever
Chelsea reverting to a back-four under Maurizio Sarri has helped the Blues establish a more rigid system that could benefit them tremendously in the upcoming season but what stood out drastically was the inability of Marcos Alonso to adapt to the traditional full-back role as opposed to his rather advanced wing-back duties under Antonio Conte.
Emerson Palmieri looks like the ideal candidate who is well and truly equipped to take up the role at Stamford Bridge but it remains to be seen if Sarri actually rates the Brazilian as a regular starter for the club considering the fact that he is yet to start a single pre-season game.
Alonso has been one of Chelsea's best performers since joining the club but his recent performances in the new system have flattered to deceive and the ill-effects were quite evident when Hector Bellerin and Henrikh Mkhitaryan exposed him from time to time on the night.
#3 Matteo Guendouzi has plenty to offer to Arsenal
Matteo Guendouzi, who joined Arsenal from FC Lorient this summer, impressed yet again in midfield and lasted the full ninety minutes against Chelsea.
The 19-year-old showed maturity beyond his age from a deeper role in midfield when he dropped back into the middle of the two centre-halves and was also quick to turn defence into attack whenever he sensed an opportunity to hit back at Chelsea.
Guendouzi was quite easily one of Arsenal's best players on the night, if not the best, and impressed with his impeccable reading of the game and ability to shift play to either flanks with his immaculate range of passing.
However, he is still far from a finished product ready to tear down the Premier League and will have to work extensively on his strength to hold on to the ball if he is to survive the tenacity of the game in England.
#4 Petr Cech gives a top-notch performance
Tthe Arsenal shot-stopper produced yet another memorable performance between the sticks, this time against his former club.
From diving to his right to prevent Alvaro Morata from extending Chelsea's lead in the 15th minute to denying Ruben Loftus Cheek in the penalty shoot-out to secure the win for Arsenal, it is safe to say that Cech never looked like being in trouble on the night.
Despite conceding the early goal courtesy of some shoddy defending, the 36-year-old did not let it affect him and grew in confidence as the game progressed to effectively put his experience to good use in the shoot-out.
Undoubtedly, a remarkable back-up goal-keeper to have in your ranks!
#5 Morata blowing hot and cold is a concern for Chelsea
Alvaro Morata had a night to forget against Arsenal and his inconsistency in front of goal will surely be a cause of concern for Maurizio Sarri as Chelsea prepare for a revival in the Premier League under the newly appointed manager.
While it is no secret that Sarri wanted to try and bring Gonzalo Higuain, who is now on his way to AC Milan, to Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea faithful were hopeful that he would also try to rekindle Morata's lost touch that can possibly help the Spaniard wreck havoc over any opposition.
However, the bipolar nature of the striker isn't doing him any favours and despite looking the part against Inter in their previous game, Morata has yet again gone cold and the dismal outing that he endured against Arsenal tonight shows his inconsistency and stakes a claim as to why Chelsea cannot afford to solely depend on him for the goals this season.
