02 August,2015 06:46 AM IST | | PA Sport
Chelsea defender urges team to beat Arsenal tonight to give their season a boost before the English Premier League begins next week
Gary Cahill
London: Gary Cahill wants Chelsea to lay down a marker in today's Community Shield clash with Arsenal at Wembley.
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill. PIC/Getty Images
The Premier League champions face the FA Cup winners in the season curtain-raiser, a week before the start of the season proper.
England defender Cahill played down the significance of the result at Wembley on the campaign in its entirety, but nevertheless wants a victory.
"It won't have an impact on the season as a whole, but it's a marker," Cahill said.
"Every time you take to the field you want to win the game. It's a big game, against a local rival and good opposition. It will be a good test for us."
Arsenal are one of the sides - along with Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool - expected to challenge the Blues for the title.
'Strange facing Cech'
The Gunners bolstered their squad by signing goalkeeper Petr Cech after 11 trophy-laden years at Chelsea in a move sanctioned by Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
Asked about facing Cech, Cahill added: "It will be strange. He was part of the fixtures and fittings at Chelsea for many, many years.
"He's a top goalkeeper and a great guy, but it's down to business and I'm sure he'll feel the same way. Everyone's a professional and everyone will want to do the job and get the right result for their team."
EPL more competitive:
Cahill Cahill knows how difficult it will be for the Blues to successfully retain the title they won last term.
He added: "A lot of teams have strengthened again this year. The league is as competitive as it's ever been. It's going to be very tough. People want to beat the champions. We were in the same situation. We're going to have that this year. We did it last year. We want to try to do it again this year."
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