Premier League pacesetters for much of last season, Arsenal who lost the title towards the curtain call stages of the campaign to giants Manchester City set out to take control of this this season’s Community Shield contest from the off, bagging 85 per cent possession in the first 15 minutes. A tempo that resulted in a 4-1 victory against Manchurian giants on penalties to claim glory at England’s magnificent Wembley stadium.

City did show dominance off in the early stages; Julian Alvarez’s shot wide from distance summed up their struggles to break through a compact Arsenal side and instead it was the Gunners who had the best chances of the half, with Havertz passing up two great openings.

Arsenal had been plenty of positives during the 90 minutes and should have led at the break after summer signing Kai Havertz’ missed chances. Fellow newcomers Jurrien Timber and £105m man Declan Rice showed impressive performances too with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale pulling off a sharp one later on to keep them in the game to set up a grandstand finish.

Arsenal goalie Aaron Ramsdale could do nothing about Palmer’s brilliant strike opener. The 21-year-old bending into the far corner a superb curler after a break from Phil Foden was something to rise and applaud, but Arsenal – who gave City a good run for their money in last season’s Premier League title race battled deep into stoppage time to get their reward in what believers hope can be the catalyst to launch another battle with Pep Guardiola’s side for the major honours which will be handed out at the other end of the campaign.

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Leandro Trossard equalized in the 101st minute of normal time after treble-winners City looked on course to add a fourth trophy of the year to their collection after Cole Palmer’s fine curling shot that gave them the lead on 77 minutes—rather they were handed a third straight Community Shield defeat.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola reacted saying: “Congratulations to Arsenal, we were close. In the last 15-20 minutes of the first half they were better. Second half we were much, much better. We played a really good second half.

“We have to get used to [stoppage time]. I had the feeling it didn’t happen much to extend eight minutes. But they don’t consult with the players, the managers what is their opinion [when they make the rules]. Now the games will be 100 minutes that’s for sure. Imagine if they extend for the goals, and it’s 4-3, tomorrow morning, 9am I am here playing! Don’t ask me my opinion!

“The team behaved unbelievable. We faced an extraordinary team. We were close. We’re disappointed for the fact we were close but it’s football and you can’t always win. Now we’re thinking Friday, to go to Burnley to play.”

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta commented: “It feels great, it doesn’t get better than winning a trophy at Wembley against the best team in world, especially in the way we did it. We had some great chances in the first half but when you don’t take them you know what can happen. But we made the right choices, we kept some momentum and belief and that allowed us to equal the game and win the game on penalties. We showed today a real resilience and fight to win the game.”

Arsenal have won on their last five Community Shield appearances and are outright second on the honours list with 17 overall, with their sights likely set on bigger prizes to come this season.