The Notebook: Erling Haaland’s Community Shield curse continues as Mikel Arteta’s tactical changes keep his stars on their toes
- Arsenal beat Manchester City 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Community Shield final
- Mikel Arteta likes to keep his players alert with tactical changes
- Meanwhile, Erling Haaland’s Community Shield hoodoo dragged on
Arsenal claimed their first silverware in three years thanks to a penalty shootout victory over Manchester City in the FA Community Shield final.
Cole Palmer had given City a late lead with a wonderful goal before Leandro Trossard scored in the 11th minute of added time, setting up the penalty shootout which the Gunners won 4-1.
From the jaws of defeat, Mikel Arteta had snatched a sweet victory over his former mentor Pep Guardiola and showed the Premier League what his team is all about with the start of the season just days away. He tries to tell them that this was just a friendly.
We were given a glimpse of the upcoming campaign’s punitive crackdown, with referees set to clamp down on time wasting and dissent. Several players were on Stuart Attwell’s book under these new measures and even Arteta received a yellow for dissent.
Here are some of the aspects of the finale that you may have missed.
Arsenal lifted the Community Shield trophy after beating Manchester City on penalties
Mikel Arteta surpassed the old mentor Pep Guardiola: a revenge for the Premier League
The Jeff Astle Foundation was a worthy beneficiary of the charitable funds generated.
The former England striker died of early dementia in 2002 aged 59.
After the fight his widow, Laraine, and daughter, Dawn, have had to put up for football to address this huge issue, he was fit.
Leandro Trossard’s goal was the first scored by any current Arsenal player at Wembley.
All five of the Gunners’ previous goals on the pitch had been scored by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Leandro Trossard scored an equalizer in the 11th minute to send the game to penalties
Mikel Arteta’s chess game always keeps his stars on their toes.
After starting Eddie Nketiah last week against Monaco with the captain’s armband for the first time, he arguably looked like a safe candidate for this match.
But no, the Arsenal manager opted for Kai Havertz as false nine, a position he occasionally played at Chelsea. No player position is safe under the Spaniard.
How refreshing that the FA have actually listened to the supporters.
The start had originally been planned for 5:30 p.m., but following concerns expressed by fans about potential problems with public transportation, it was moved up to 4:00 p.m.
A good move and hopefully a continued trend in taking public feedback into account.
Referee Stuart Attwell gave Arteta a yellow card for dissent in a sign of the crackdown to come.
Refereeing body PGMOL warned clubs ahead of the season to clamp down on managers’ antics on the touchline.
Here, Arteta received a yellow card for gesturing furiously at referee Stuart Attwell as Rodri dragged Havertz back on a counter-attack.
A rather timely reminder ahead of the opening weekend of the Premier League.
Erling Haaland’s bitter relationship with the Community Shield continued.
Last season against Liverpool, the striker squandered two golden opportunities as City lost 3-1.
Against Arsenal? He didn’t register a shot, and was substituted after 64 minutes.
Erling Haaland on 64 minutes was substituted after failing to register a shot
