Late drama at Wembley saw us clinch our 17th Community Shield by beating Manchester City 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
Arsenal 1-1 Man City (4-1 pens) won the Community Shield
An outstanding first half from Mikel Arteta’s team, which had three debutants in Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz, saw them do everything but score, with the latter twice forcing Stefan Ortega into saves with his feet to keep a lethargic City in the game.
After the break, Pep Guardiola’s team improved and scored the only goal when substitute Cole Palmer curled home a shot on 77 minutes to seemingly hand City the trophy, but in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time, Leandro Trossard saw a shot strike Manuel Akanji and trickle into the net to set up a penalty shootout.
Arsenal 1-1 Man City (4-1 pens) won the Community Shield
After Kevin de Bruyne hit the crossbar and Aaron Ramsdale saved from Rodri, Fabion Vieria fired home the winning kick to cap a dramatic comeback and allow Martin Odegaard to hoist the silverware.
Positive start unrewarded
We had the better chances and looked more threatening in attack in the first half, whereas City just had a couple of half-chances.
Rodri saw a low shot blocked by Declan Rice and dribble just wide of the base of the post for the reigning Treble holders, and Julian Alvarez followed suit shortly after.
But we grew into the game as it developed and on 25 minutes we carved out our first great opportunity when Ben White cut inside on the right and picked out Havertz in the box. The German spun and got a shot away which was saved by the outstretched boot of Ortega, and then Gabriel Martinelli’s rebound was blocked by the chest of John Stones.
Havertz was having a great debut game in an Arsenal shirt, providing an outlet at the heart of our assault and causing the City defence plenty of problems. He came even closer to scoring his first goal for the Gunners when we found joy down the right via Bukayo Saka, whose cutback from the byline allowed Havertz to hit the trigger, but he was thwarted once more by Ortega’s reaction.
Guardiola’s team’s frustrations were summed up when Rodri launched a daring effort from the halfway line but was unable to catch Aaron Ramsdale out, as the champions entered the game fortunate not to be behind.
