Chelsea's John Terry rues Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and old friend Petr Cech

John Terry was disappointed to lose the Community Shield

DON’T tell John Terry that losing in the Community Shield game at Wembley does not matter.

 

In fact don’t tell him that losing any game matters.

But the Chelsea captain is adamant that Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal in the season’s traditional curtain raiser, will be no indicator as to how the two teams are going to do this season – with the kick off to the Premier League just five days away.

 

Petr Cech celebrates victory over Chelsea with the Community Shield

Terry, as ever, felt the pain when he watched Arsenal go up the steps to pick up the Community Shield on Sunday, after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s superb goal had won them the match, and along the way earned Gunners manager Arsene Wenger his first ever win over rival Jose Mourinho.

Terry hates to lose any game, even if it is only a friendly – and he has promised that champions Chelsea will bounce back when the action begins in earnest against Swansea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

 

The Chelsea captain said: “It is disappointing to lose of course. It is the first trophy we could have won this season, but it's gone now, we have to move on.

“Losing is horrible in all aspects. Forget the record, there was a trophy on the line. It hurt when you saw them walk up the stairs to lift it. It means a lot because you work all season to be here. They earned the right to be here by winning the FA Cup, so did we by winning the League.

“I don’t like losing, whether it's against my kids or anyone. That's the mentality I was brought up with, the same as the manager. That's what he wants and demands from his players.

 

“It was a different atmosphere in the dressing room afterwards. We haven't lost many at Wembley.

“When you see them walk up, no matter if it's a friendly or a Community Shield, it's a trophy at the end of the day. It's not nice. At the same time it could be a blessing in disguise for us, a wake-up call. Maybe it’s the the boost we needed and we go again for the season.

“We have the Premier League to concentrate on now. We have to take the positives from it - we got another 90 minutes under our belts.

“We have experience in the squad, we have the character. It's going to be even tougher this year. We go again and prepare ourselves for Swansea.”

 

Terry insists that it was a result and performance that in the end taught neither side too much about how they will do this coming season: “I don't think you can learn much. Arsenal will probably come out and say differently. It's another 90 minutes under your belt. But win or lose I don't think you can say you learn a lot.”

And predictably, Petr Cech, Terry’s old Chelsea pal of 11 years and so many trophies, produced a faultless display in the Arsenal goal to snuff out any hope of a comeback on Sunday.

Terry shrugged: “It was typical Pete - great as always. We have to get over the fact he's left now. He's moved on to a very good side. We have enough in our squad to concentrate on.

“Our squad is looking good. We have another game on Wednesday against Fiorentina, which will give a few other players the chance to get a few more minutes under their belts. The most important thing is the Swansea game and the three points.”