ARSENAL 1, MAN CITY 1
(Arsenal won 4-1 on penalties)
Manchester City completed an unwanted treble – defeat in each of the last three years in the FA Community Shield.
After losing to Leicester City and Liverpool in the last two seasons, this time it was Arsenal who inflicted the cruellest of reverses in a dramatic ending to this Wembley curtain-raiser to the new campaign.
It looked as though City, last season’s treble winners of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, would add more silverware after substitute Cole Palmer put them ahead eight minutes from time.
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal equalised in the 11th of eight added minutes – there had been a lengthy stoppage after a clash of heads involving Kyle Walker and Thomas Partey – when substitute Leandro Trossard’s shot took a wicked deflection off the thigh of Manuel Akanji to send keeper Stefan Ortega the wrong way.
That sent the game into a penalty shootout which saw Kevin De Bruyne smash his kick against the crossbar and Champions League final hero Rodri have his saved by Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal netted all four of their kicks as they secured a first win over City in three years and lift the Shield for a 17th time overtaking Liverpool with only Manchester United ahead of them with 21 wins.
City manager Pep Guardiola said: “We are disappointed because we came to win and were very close.
“We would have loved to have won, but give credit to the opponent which was extraordinary.”
Guardiola is not happy with the new edict to referees which is likely to leave matches lasting 100 or more minutes.
“If we have seven goals in a game, we would still be playing tomorrow morning,” he joked, adding the International Board did not consult managers and players over the new directive.
“Do not ask my opinion. We are not the NBA (basketball) and the players do not have three months off to recover. We have to adapt.”
Guardiola made three changes from our pre-season friendly with Atletico Madrid.
New signing Mateo Kovacic made his official debut, starting in midfield in place of Phil Foden who played the final game of the Asia tour in Seoul.
Ortega started in goal for the third consecutive game at Wembley following his FA Cup appearances with Ederson on the bench while Akanji replaced Aymeric Laporte.
De Bruyne, a fitness doubt before the game, was on the bench while Nathan Ake missed out after picking up an injury in the friendly against Bayern Munich.
New £77million defender Josko Gvardiol completed his move on Saturday, but the Croatia defender was not part of the matchday squad.
Summer signings Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz made their Arsenal debuts.
Havertz started in attack alongside Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli with striker Gabriel Jesus to miss the start of the season through injury.
City enjoyed a ridiculous 85 per cent possession in the opening 20 minutes in which they carved out two decent chances.
Rodri’s drive from 25 yards was deflected narrowly wide and Julian Alvarez’ shot from distance also flew wide of the upright.
Ben White opened up the City defence for the first time in the 26th minute with a terrific burst into the box only for Kai Havertz’ effort to be blocked along with Martin Odegaard’s follow-up effort.
Arsenal grew into the game and should have taken the lead five minutes before the break when Bukayo Saka cut the ball back from the right to Havertz whose shot was well blocked by Ortega.
Just as happened as Old Trafford the previous day when there was a goal from half-way, there was almost another two minutes before the break.
Rodri, even further out, was inside his own half when he spotted Ramsdale off his line and tried an audacious chip which landed on the roof of the net with the stopper scampering back.
City had a chance early in the second half when John Stones’ bullet header from Alvarez’ corner was beaten out by Ramsdale.
Guardiola made his first change just short of the hour when Jack Grealish made way for Foden and that was soon followed by a double switch as the anonymous Erling Haaland and Kovacic were replaced by Palmer and De Bruyne.
They proved inspired changes as Foden, De Bruyne and Palmer were involved in the goal.
Foden made a surging break from his own half and his pass was intercepted but flew to De Bruyne headed the ball to Palmer who stepped inside from the right and bent a delightful shot into the top far corner.
City had chances to double their lead.
Foden, released by Alvarez, saw his shot go through the legs of Ramsdale but ricochet off his thigh and rolled agonisingly wide for a corner from which Rodri’s near-post header bring another top save from the Arsenal stopper.
There was a sting in the tail for City, though, as Arsenal equalised in the 11th added minute. Only eight were signalled but in the additional time there was a lengthy stoppage through a clash of heads between Walker and Partey.
Gunners’ substitute Leandro Trossard took a speculative shot which deflected off Manuel Akanji and sent Ortega the wrong way.
The drama continued in the shootout which took place in front of the Arsenal supporters.
De Bruyne hit the crossbar with City’s opening kick, Bernardo Silva converted the second while Rodri had his effort saved by Ramsdale with Arsenal converting all four of their penalties as they beat City for only the second time in 11 games under Mikel Arteta’s reign as manager.