Arsenal Edge out Manchester City in the Community shield

GUNNERS LIFT COMMUNITY SHIELD AFTER SHOOTOUT WIN OVER TREBLE WINNERS

Arsenal have drawn first blood ahead of the new season by beating Manchester City on penalties to win the Community Shield. In an encounter between last season's top two in the Premier League, Cole Palmer came off the bench to score a wonderful opener for the Treble winners but Leandro Trossard's late deflected effort sent the game to penalties where Gunners prevailed.

The penalties ended 4-1 to Arsenal, Fabio Vieira struck the winner as the Gunners prevailed via spot kicks after Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri failed to convert for the Treble winners.

Mikel Arteta’s side appeared to be on the verge of defeat following substitute Cole Palmer’s sublime opener, but a leveller 11 minutes into stoppage time via Leandro Trossard’s heavily deflected effort rescued a 1-1 draw to force a shoot-out. Pep Guardiola’s men were completely dominant in the early exchanges with Julian Alvarez just failing to make a significant connection with a header.

Arsenal, who handed their trio of summer signings debuts from the start, grew into the contest and had the best two opportunities of the first half. New boy Kai Havertz had both chances but was denied by City shot stopper Stefan Ortega on both occasions.

Man City stepped it up a notch in the second half and Palmer looked to have won it when he curved a delightful left-foot shot into the far corner 13 minutes from the end.

However, deep into stoppage time Trossard took the contest to a shoot-out when his shot deflected in off Manuel Akanji and Arsenal completed the remarkable turnaround from the spot.

Next up, Manchester City begin their Premier League title defence against former captain Vincent Kompany’s newly-promoted Burnley on Friday night.

Arsenal host Nottingham Forest on Saturday in a lunchtime kick off.

TALKING POINT

Arsenal pull off stunning rescue act to lay down their own marker for the upcoming season.

This clash between last season’s top-two was much-anticipated, particularly given Arsenal’s outlay on additions they hope will bridge the gap to the Premier League summit.

The Gunners gave a good account of themselves too with the trio of new recruits slotting in and looking rather accomplished.

Declan Rice was assured in the midfield while Jurrien Timber was excellent both defensively and on the ball on the left side of the back four.

Havertz wasn’t brought in as a leading striker, but the German was dangerous in that position and his adaptability between midfield and attack will be important as the campaign develops.

This was arguably a more important occasion for the Gunners given the psychological impact of last term’s implosion in the title race, and Arteta and co will take real positives, particularly given the never-say-die attitude that ultimately paid dividends.

It could be a big moment for the Gunners but probably won’t affect City too much. They had lost their previous two Community Shield showdowns and still went on to enjoy trophy success in that same season, so Guardiola won’t dwell on this defeat for long.

City still have Josko Gvardiol to come into the side while Mateo Kovacic was calm and composed in the midfield. Of course, the major plus was the impact of Palmer, as well as Foden with both substitutes giving the Spanish coach plenty to think about ahead of next week’s PL opener.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

William Saliba (Arsenal). The centre back was imperious throughout and kept Erling Haaland quiet during his time on the pitch. The defender’s injury was a key factor in Arsenal’s drop-off late last season and he once again demonstrated his quality both on the ball and with his reading of the game here.

PLAYER RATINGS

MAN CITY: Ortega 8, Walker 7, Stones 8, Dias 7, Akanji 7, Rodri 8, Kovacic 8, Bernardo 6, Grealish 6, Alvarez 7, Haaland 5. Subs: Foden 7, Palmer 7, De Bruyne 6.

ARSENAL: Ramsdale 7, White 8, Saliba 9, Gabriel 7, Timber 8, Partey 7, Rice 7, Odegaard 7, Saka 7, Havertz 7, Martinelli 7. Subs: Trossard 7, Tierney 6, Nketiah n/a, Smith-Rowe n/a, Vieira n/aArsenal have now won the Community Shield 17 times, overtaking Liverpool. Only Manchester United (21) have won it more times.

Arsenal have beaten Manchester City for just the 2nd time in 11 games under Mikel Arteta. That was their first win against City since 18/07/2020, which was 1115 days ago.

Aged 21 years and 92 days, Cole Palmer is the youngest player to score in the Community Shield since Cesc Fàbregas for Arsenal against Chelsea in 2005 (18 years, 95 days).