Arsenal emerged victorious in the Community Shield, defeating Manchester City 4-1 on penalties after a thrilling 1-1 draw on Sunday.
The match was held at Wembley, with the Gunners securing the win and putting an end to City’s impressive streak of silverware.
The match appeared to be heading towards a City victory after Cole Palmer scored a superb curling goal late in the second half.
However, Arsenal’s hopes were revived when Leandro Trossard’s shot took a heavy deflection, equalizing the score 11 minutes into stoppage time.
The encounter was eventually decided by a penalty shoot-out. Kevin De Bruyne’s spot-kick hit the crossbar, and Aaron Ramsdale made a crucial save from Rodri’s attempt.
Fabio Vieira then stepped up to convert the decisive penalty, sealing the victory for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The celebrations from Arsenal were exuberant, reflecting their desire to end their long title drought since their last league victory in 2004.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at winning a trophy against “the best team in the world” and highlighted his team’s commitment to bringing trophies to the club.
Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, acknowledged his team’s disappointment but remained gracious in defeat, conceding that the better penalty takers prevailed.
Last season, City made history by securing the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup titles, becoming only the second English club to achieve this feat in a single season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, finished behind City after squandering their lead, which was eight points at the start of April.
Although the Community Shield win is a positive start for Arsenal, history shows that the Shield winners rarely go on to claim the Premier League title. Arteta and his team will need a remarkable points total to challenge the reigning champions, who are aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive title.
The match also offered a glimpse of Arsenal’s new signings, with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber showcasing their talents.
Havertz, however, missed two good chances to score, while Rice displayed composure and potential in the midfield.
As the Community Shield heralds the beginning of the Premier League season, Arsenal’s victory has set the stage for a highly anticipated title race against the formidable Manchester City.