Arsenal defeat Manchester City on penalties to win the Community Shield

Fabio Vieira scored the winning penalty for Arsenal who defeated last season’s league champions to win their first silverware of the season.

Arsenal defeated Manchester City 4-1 in a penalty shootout to lift their first silverware of the season in the form of the Community Shield on Sunday. The rivalry between these two clubs is expected to take centre stage in the Premier League this season as well, much like last year and the Gunners have claimed the first bragging rights of the 2023/24 season.

Arsenal managed to score a late equaliser to restore parity into the contest at 1-1 that forced a penalty shootout. Fabio Vieira stepped up to score the match-winning penalty for his side and helped Mikel Arteta’s side win the trophy at the Wembley Stadium in London.

Although Community Shield matches, which are often considered as extended pre-season preparation, have the feeling of a friendly match to them, this one was an exception. Cynical fouls and crunching tackles and challenges flew in left, right, and centre as there was no love lost between the two sides.

Obviously, last season’s Premier League title race and the way it ended left a bitter taste in the mouths of the Arsenal players and support staff who were desperate for revenge this time around.

“For us, it’s a statement. It’s a marker to know we can go and beat Man City in a big game when it matters,” Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale told ITV.

“I’m not sure what it’ll be like this season. But that mental block is gone. We’re ready to push on now.”

As they always do, Pep Guardiola’s side dominated the majority of the possession in the first half. However, it was Arsenal who created the better chances and even came close to scoring with new signing Kai Havertz squandering two huge opportunities that got saved by reserve goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

Striker Erling Haaland, who contributed a remarkable 52 goals to City’s treble-winning campaign last season, had an uncharacteristically quiet afternoon, failing to get a shot on target before being replaced by Cole Palmer.

It was his substitute Palmer who managed to break the deadlock and injected some adrenaline into the fixture. Receiving the ball in the right half space, Palmer unleashed a swerving effort from the edge of the box which left Ramsdale beaten at his far post.

The Arsenal goalkeeper was also called into action twice in quick succession minutes later, denying Phil Foden and Rodri with crucial saves to keep the deficit to one goal.

Eight minutes of added time quickly became 13 after a clash of heads between Kyle Walker and Thomas Partey which forced both players to get their heads bandaged. Arsenal managed to claw their way back in to the game after a strike from Leandro Trossard took a massive deflection and flew into the net in the 101^st minute, forcing a penalty shootout.

Kevin De Bruyne took the first penalty for City but blasted his effort against the crossbar while Ramsdale was able to save a tame attempt from Rodri, giving Arsenal the advantage. Vieira then clinched Arsenal’s 17th win in the season’s curtain-raiser, moving them into second place behind Manchester United in the all-time tally.

The win extended City’s run of defeats in Community Shield matches, following losses to Liverpool last season and Leicester City in 2021.