LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Arsenal celebrate after the penalty shoot-out following The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City (4-1p) – 3 talking points from Community Shield win
by Adam Schultz
The new boys look thrilled with the Shield. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
2. Winning mentality being built
Right, so bare with me here. Yes, it is pre-season, and in truth, winning or losing the Community Shield won’t have any REAL impact on the upcoming Premier League season.
But it might have given Arsenal something far greater than anything it could have got out of the game.
While yes, the win is nice in a vacuum, what it also did is build on what has been a good pre-season but also demonstrated that Arsenal can go blow for blow with a team many regards as the best in the world.
Starting the season as #CommunityShield winners…@Arsenal 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Y96WtX2q06
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 6, 2023
Additionally, the psychology of the win could prove beneficial down the road as well.
Some will same the game overall meant nothing, but take one look at Guardiola’s celebration and Arteta’s as well, and that will tell you all you need to know.
The win was great, but what Arsenal picked up from a mental standpoint might be even more significant.
Continued on the next slide…
pic.twitter.com/YHXMcMsiai
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1688238237880401921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>The Gunners then were perfect from the spot as they nailed all four of their penalty kicks to win the Community Shield for the 17th time.</p>
<h2>3 talking points from Arsenal’s Community Shield win</h2>
<p>The game provided plenty of talking points; here they are.</p>
<h2>1. William Saliba again proves his worth</h2>
<p>Personally speaking, had Saliba been fit for the title run-in last season, Arsenal would have won the league. There will be detractors to that, but I suggest you watch his masterclass against Erling Haaland.</p>
<p>The Frenchman was a colossus in the heart of the defence, and while, yes, it is pre-season, it is far better to have a performance like this than for Haaland to have run wild.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">William Saliba vs. Manchester City:</p>
<p>96% pass accuracy<br />86 touches<br />74 passes<br />6 passes into final ⅓<br />6 x possession won<br />4 clearances<br />4 duels won<br />2 tackles made<br />0 fouls</p>
<p>[<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://twitter.com/Squawka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Squawka] <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://t.co/3ThvNELYZg">pic.twitter.com/3ThvNELYZg
<p>— afcstuff (@afcstuff) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1688245656828198912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Forming a superb partnership with Gabriel, Saliba is quickly becoming the leader of the defence, and keeping one of the best strikers on the planet on the outer is a feather in his cap.</p>
<p>Arsenal won’t win any league points for his efforts, but it gives Saliba confidence when he again meets with Haaland in the league.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #2 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135701 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1707,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1581823131-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1581823131-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1581823131-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1581823131-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1581823131-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:2560px;">The new boys look thrilled with the Shield. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2. Winning mentality being built</h2>
<p>Right, so bare with me here. Yes, it is pre-season, and in truth, winning or losing the Community Shield won’t have any REAL impact on the upcoming Premier League season.</p>
<p>But it might have given Arsenal something far greater than anything it could have got out of the game.</p>
<p>While yes, the win is nice in a vacuum, what it also did is build on what has been a good pre-season but also demonstrated that Arsenal can go blow for blow with a team many regards as the best in the world.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Starting the season as <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommunityShield?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#CommunityShield</a> winners…<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Arsenal 🏆 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://t.co/Y96WtX2q06">pic.twitter.com/Y96WtX2q06
<p>— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://twitter.com/EmiratesFACup/status/1688242069490282496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Additionally, the psychology of the win could prove beneficial down the road as well.</p>
<p>Some will same the game overall meant nothing, but take one look at Guardiola’s celebration and Arteta’s as well, and that will tell you all you need to know.</p>
<p>The win was great, but what Arsenal picked up from a mental standpoint might be even more significant.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #3 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_135702" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135702 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1706,w_2560/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1582119338-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="2560" height="1706" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1582119338-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1582119338-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1582119338-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1582119338-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:2560px;">Kai Havertz was used as a striker in Gabriel Jesus’ absence. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3. Has Arteta found Havertz’s ideal spot?</h2>
<p>A false nine, hey? Well, those who thought <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/04/gabriel-jesus-injury-should-change-arsenals-kai-havertz-plan/">Kai Havertz</a> might drift in and out of the game against City were sadly mistaken… and he might have a case that he could be the Gunners’ secret weapon when called upon.</p>
<p>Against City, Havertz, playing as a false nine, was superb. His hold-up play with his back to goal, and pressing were first-class as he gave the Gunners an outlet not seen since the days of Olivier Giroud.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hopefully the first of many in red ❤️ <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://t.co/GXmNzMZs6i">pic.twitter.com/GXmNzMZs6i
<p>— Kai Havertz (@kaihavertz29) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://twitter.com/kaihavertz29/status/1688263670596317184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Now, it is only one game, but this might’ve been the moment when Arsenal fans finally saw something that makes them go: “Okay, this could work with Kai.”</p>
<div class="embed ">
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<p>The only downside is he spurned two great chances, but Havertz nonetheless showed his quality (and physicality), and given his versatility, I imagine this won’t be the last time we see Arteta use the German in a different and unique position.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
