Arsenal were 4-1 winners over Premier League champions Manchester City in a penalty shootout after the full-time ended 1-1 at Wembley to win the FA Community Shield.
City had started brightly but failed to test the Arsenal goal, keeping possession and making Mikel Arteta’s men chase the game.
However, Arsenal pulled some strings of fine passes later on and tested Stefan Ortega in the Manchester City goal. The German was up to the task as he saved a shot from his compatriot, Kai Havertz, in the 38th minute. From then, it was all Arsenal as Pep Guardiola’s men had defensive duties to handle to keep it 0-0.
Rodri could have put City ahead in the 43rd minute after he caught Aaron Ramsdale off his line, but his attempt was overhit and sailed over the bar.
ALSO READ: Manchester City beat Inter to win Champions League title
As the second half started, both teams looked balanced, but Guardiola needed something special, hacking off an ineffective Jack Grealish for Phil Foden in the 57th minute. It looked to be the right call as Foden immediately started tormenting the Arsenal backline.
Arsenal’s record signing, Declan Rice went in search of a debut goal for his new club but the former West Ham captain ballooned his 63rd-minute shot after a neat exchange of passes between Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli.
Guardiola made a huge call after removing goal machine Erling Haaland in the 63rd minute, replacing him with Cole Palmer. Matteo Kovacic was also replaced by Kevin De Bruyne, who is yet to gain full fitness from a hamstring injury.
Mikel Arteta also dug into his bench and replaced Martinelli with Leandro Trossard and Jurrien Timber off for Kieran Tierney in the 74th minute.
Three minutes after Arteta shuffled his team, Palmer curled in a shot to put Manchester City ahead. Foden had made a brilliant turn before finding De Bruyne who supplied Palmer.
UNSTOPPABLE 🤩
Cole Palmer finds the top bins for @ManCity 🗑#CommunityShield pic.twitter.com/YkLIgBkWcF
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 6, 2023
As the game wore on, it seemed City would run away with the trophy. Arteta threw on Eddie Nketiah in place of Rice, who had a mixed display, in the 80th minute.
Foden could have made it two in the 82nd minute after Ben White gave away the ball to Julian Alvarez, but Ramsdae was on hand to save. The resultant corner almost gave City the second goal but Rodri’s near post header was saved by Ramsdale in the 83rd minute.
An incredible stop from @AaronRamsdale98 🧤#CommunityShield pic.twitter.com/0aZGq4dDEz
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 6, 2023
Arsenal continued to probe, with Arteta putting on Emile Smith-Rowe and Fabio Vieira for Gabriel and Kai Havertz in the 87th minute.
After Partey and Kyle Walker clashed their heads in the extra time and remained on the pitch for treatment for close to five minutes, it seemed Manchester City had bagged the shield.
ALSO READ: ‘From one starboy to another’: Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka meets Wizkid at UK concert, Netizens react
However, Trossard’s shot was deflected in by Manuel Akanji to send the Arsenal end of Wembley Stadium into delirium in the 101st minute.
The contest proceeded to a penalty shootout.
De Bruyne and Rodri lost their penalties, while Odegaard, Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Vieira scored their kicks to hand Arsenal the first silverware of the season.
