Arsenal wins the Community Shield after defeating Man City on penalties

After a 1-1 draw at London’s Wembley Stadium, the Gunners defeated City 4-1 in a penalty shootout.

At Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Arsenal defeated City 4-1 in a penalty shootout to win the Football Association’s Community Shield. This game serves as the customary season opener.

The winners of the Premier League and FA Cup competitions from the previous season traditionally compete in this match. Arsenal participated in the title race as the runner-up in the league and may have acquired a psychological advantage going into the new season that begins on Friday because City won both as part of the title treble that included the Champions League for the first time.

After coming off the bench, Cole Palmer scored a curling goal in the 78th minute to give City the lead. However, Leandro Trossard scored with a deflected drive in the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time to draw the game and force penalties.

Aaron Ramsdale stopped a shot from Rodri after Kevin De Bruyne struck the crossbar with a strong penalty kick, allowing Fabio Vieira the chance to seal the victory for Arsenal. It was curled high into the corner by the Portuguese playmaker.

With Gabriel Jesus out with an injury, Arsenal had the better chances throughout the entire 90 minutes, with Bukayo Saka missing wide and off-season signing Kai Havertz having two close-range shots in the first half saved.

Prior to Palmer’s score, Ramsdale had tipped a header from John Stones from a corner over.

The Community Shield has now been dropped by City three years in a row after losses to Leicester in 2021 and Liverpool in 2022.

Along with the heartbreaking outcome of the game, City manager Pep Guardiola might also be slightly worried given that top striker Erling Haaland, who finished the previous campaign with one goal in eight games in all competitions, was silent once again.

De Bruyne making his first appearance for City since leaving the Champions League final in June due to a hamstring injury during the last half-hour was a positive development.

Palmer, a 21-year-old winger, was another. With Riyad Mahrez having left for Saudi Arabia last month, Palmer might get more action in the upcoming season.

He received a nod-down from De Bruyne, cut inside onto his left foot, and curved a finish into the far corner, demonstrating that he is more than capable of converting his opportunity under Guardiola.

Josko Gvardiol, a defender from Croatia who joined City on Saturday for 90 million euros ($99.2 million), was not involved.

With the additions of Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber, Arsenal has bolstered its squad and is anticipated to once again compete with City for the Premier League crown. After a late collapse, Arsenal just managed to finish second last season.

With players and coaches having committed to a so-called “Participant Charter,” which means they would face stiffer sanctions for bad behaviour in matches, the game also served as an early indication of what to anticipate from match officials in the upcoming season.

After Rodri committed a tactical foul to halt a breakaway, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was given a yellow card in the first half for waving an imaginary yellow flag. Following that, two players—City’s Julian Alvarez and Arsenal’s Thomas Partey—were both issued yellow cards for intentionally kicking the ball away.