Arsenal End Eight-Game Losing Streak Against Manchester City By Winning Community Shield In Penalty Shootout After Late Wembley Drama
Arsenal beat Manchester City in a penalty shootout on Sunday to win the 2023 FA Community Shield following a dramatic finale at Wembley Stadium.
City youngster Cole Palmer opened the scoring in the 77th minute with a superb curling effort from just inside the penalty area.
This was Palmer's fifth senior goal for City, who had won their last eight matches against Arsenal.
But the Gunners forced a penalty shootout with a heavily-deflected strike by Leandro Trossard in the 11th minute of added time.
Trossard was then among the scorers in the shootout, which Arsenal won 4-1.
Sunday's game saw four summer signings make their competitive debuts, with Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz all included in Arsenal's starting XI, while Mateo Kovacic played 64 minutes for City.
Havertz started the game in a central striking role and was twice denied by saves from City keeper Stefan Ortega during the first half.
City failed to record a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, although Rodri came close to catching out Aaron Ramsdale with an ambitious effort from the halfway line.
Pep Guardiola raised some eyebrows in the 64th minute when he brought on Palmer to replace Erling Haaland, who had been quiet.
But that decision paid off when Palmer produced a moment of magic to fire City 1-0 in front.
Cole Palmer (center) scored his fifth goal for Manchester City during Sunday's FA Community Shield game against Arsenal at Wembley
IMAGO/PA Images/Nick Potts
City were now closing in on a 14th trophy under Guardiola.
But Arsenal hit back with almost the last attack of the game.
Trossard's fortunate equalizer meant that the Community Shield would be decided by a penalty shootout for the fourth time in seven years.
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard pictured (right) celebrating after scoring a late goal in the 2023 Community Shield game at Wembley
IMAGO/Sportimage/Paul Terry
Arsenal's previous two Community Shield victories had come via spot-kicks and they completed a hat-trick with a strong demonstration of finishing from 12 yards.
Martin Odegaard, Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Fabio Vieira all scored in the shootout for Arsenal.
Bernardo Silva found the net for City but Kevin De Bruyne hit the crossbar and Rodri was denied by a save from Ramsdale.
