da mrbet： The England international made two fine saves to keep Mikel Arteta's side in it before keeping out Rodri's spot-kick in the shootout at Wembley
da pinup bet： Some may argue that the Community Shield is just a glorified pre-season friendly, but if Mikel Arteta and Arsenal's celebrations were anything to go by, then the Gunners certainly feel as if beating Manchester City on Sunday has sent a message to the treble winners ahead of the new campaign.
The Gunners won out 4-1 on penalties following a hotly-contested 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, allowing Arteta and his players to lift some silverware ahead of the new season after failing so dramatically to do so in the final weeks of the last.
They would have lost out to City here too, if not for Leandro Trossard's stoppage-time effort that deflected in off Manuel Akanji. The Belgian's strike cancelled out fellow substitute Cole Palmer's fine opening goal, as City looked on course to win the annual curtain-raiser for the first time since 2019.
Instead, they could only watch on as Fabio Vieira converted the winning spot-kick as Arsenal scored all their penalties while Kevin De Bruyne hit the crossbar and Aaron Ramsdale saved from Rodri to ensure victory in the capital for the team from north London.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Wembley Stadium…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Aaron Ramsdale
If reports are to be believed, Ramsdale's days as Arsenal's No.1 goalkeeper might be numbered. The Gunners are keen to conclude a deal to sign Brentford's David Raya, adding substantial competition for Ramsdale to deal with after an indifferent end to last season.
On Sunday, though, the England international proved to be the match-winner for his team with three superb saves. First he managed to tip Phil Foden's effort around the post when his Three Lions team-mate looked set to make the game safe with around 10 minutes to go, before then denying Rodri at his near post from the resulting corner.
Ramsdale saved his best for last, though, as he dived low to his right to keep out Rodri's spot-kick and move Arsenal to within one successful penalty of victory, which Vieira dispatched with ease.
This wasn't a faultless display from Ramsdale by any means. He was almost lobbed from the halfway line by Rodri in the first half, while a couple of stray passes put pressure on the defenders in front of him. But if the fan favourite wanted to remind Arteta what he can do, this was the perfect way to do so.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Kevin De Bruyne
When Kevin De Bruyne reflects on this game, he will likely be pretty happy. This was his first time on the pitch since leaving the Champions League final in tears, and while he was not at his best in his 30-minute run out, he still managed to claim an assist for Palmer's goal.
However, his outing at Wembley will now always be remembered for his penalty that crashed back off the crossbar that opened up the shootout for Arsenal. His side never recovered, and a 4-1 loss was comprehensive in the end.
KDB will have better days, and will soon be back to full fitness and doing what he does best: terrorising defenders.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Cole Palmer
At the start of the summer transfer window, reports suggested that Palmer would be allowed to leave City on loan after a season where his opportunities to prove himself at the Etihad Stadium were limited at best.
The homegrown winger played just 358 minutes in the Premier League during 2022-23, and with fellow academy product James McAtee returning from an impressive spell at Sheffield United, it was thought that Palmer would this time be allowed to gain experience elsewhere.
Riyad Mahrez's departure to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, however, may have changed Pep Guardiola's thinking when it comes to Palmer's immediate future, with there now a space in the team as the back-up right-sided forward that requires filling.
If Palmer has designs on that spot, then he showed why he should be considered with his superb opening goal at Wembley. Picking up the ball after Kevin De Bruyne nodded it into his path, the 21-year-old cut inside onto his left foot and curled a superb effort from the corner of the penalty area into the top corner.
Goals in the Community Shield rarely go down in club folklore, but if Palmer's strike proves to be the catalyst to him becoming a regular star in the City team, then many will look back on it with plenty of fondness.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Kai Havertz
New club, same Kai Havertz it seems if this performance was anything to go by. With Gabriel Jesus out injured, Arsenal's new £65-million signing was asked to play up front by Mikel Arteta, but in the role he played regularly at Chelsea, he put in a performance akin to those at Stamford Bridge became accustomed to.
In truth, Havertz's overall performance wasn't a poor one. But when you are playing as No.9, you need to take the goalscoring opportunities that come your way, and the Germany international failed in that task.
Twice in the first half he found himself with just Stefan Ortega to beat from relatively close range, and both times the City goalkeeper spread himself well to keep Havertz at bay. The forward was also booked in the first half and looked tired by the time City took the lead.
It's presumed that once Jesus returns, Havertz will slide back into more of a No.8 role alongside Martin Odegaard, a position where he will be judged on more than just his goal output. If this display was anything to go by, he needs to be taken out of the limelight that comes with leading the line.