Kai Havertz didn’t seem sure how to classify winning the English Supercup (Community Shield) with Arsenal. After winning the penalty shoot-out, he clenched his fist on the sidelines, but then immediately looked at his team-mates. How exuberant can the celebration be?
The Germany international has already won a number of important trophies in his young career. Before moving to Arsenal this summer, he had made Chelsea the Champions League winner (2021) and club world champion (2022) with winning goals. So Havertz first wanted to make sure whether it was appropriate to celebrate success in a similarly boisterous manner in this subordinate Community Shield. Especially since Arsenal, as second in the championship, had moved up to the Supercup because Manchester City, as champions and FA Cup winners, was unable to compete well against themselves.
The reaction of the team-mates was unequivocal: They rushed straight after Fábio Vieira’s winning penalty, Havertz followed with a short delay. Together with his teammates, he celebrated the success as if the season had just ended and would not really get going with the Premier League start next weekend. Havertz was probably not only overwhelmed by euphoria, but also relief: he had previously missed a few scoring chances. And for Arsenal too, the first title since winning the Community Shield in 2020 may have been less essential than the victory over City itself. Most recently, the club had lost eight times against the permanent champion (goal difference 4:21).
Arsenal’s hard-fought 5-2 win from penalties at Wembley on Sunday (1-1 after regulation time) was surprisingly open about goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as a “statement” for the Championship that they could beat their rivals. He is convinced that the “mental blockade” in his own team has been overcome. Substitute Leandro Trossard equalized with a deflected goal for the Gunners (90+11) after the deficit was caused by a wonderful flick by City talent Cole Palmer (77th minute). The prestige success should promote motivation and confidence in the team – and above all take a little pressure off the players.
Arsenal ramp up to break Manchester City’s supremacy
After surprising second place last season, the club are keen to permanently challenge subscription champions Manchester City. To do this, they invested in every part of the team, a total of almost a quarter of a billion euros. Central defender Jurriën Timber, midfield clearer Declan Rice and playmaker Havertz came. No other English club has spent more money on players in this transfer phase. Arsenal have already paid hundreds of millions of euros for transfers in previous years, which means that expenditure since 2021 has amounted to an impressive 600 million euros. The additions have become necessary because of the additional burden in the Champions League: For the first time in seven years, the Londoners are starting in the premier class.
Actually, Rice and Havertz, together with captain Martin Ödegaard, all 24 years old, should form one of the most exciting midfield teams in top football. But that plan is suddenly shelved. A few days ago, center forward Gabriel Jesus had to have an operation on his knee, the injury had cost him several months in the previous season. The Brazilian will miss Arsenal for a few weeks. As a deputy, coach Mikel Arteta ordered Havertz into attack against City, almost fatefully. The offensive all-rounder, who prefers to play in midfield, had to take on the role of goalscorer at Chelsea last season due to a lack of alternatives. Despite a multitude of chances, he only scored nine goals in 47 competitive games. Also to escape this situation, he promoted the change to the red and white for 75 million euros. And now experienced a déjà vu in the first competitive game.
After wonderful combinations, Havertz made two promising shots in the penalty area in the first half against ManCity, but failed each time due to the quick reaction of City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who replaced regular goalkeeper Ederson in the national cup competitions. In the less squeamish English radio station talk sport was mocked that Havertz would not even hit a “barn door”.. In order to soften the unpleasant debate about his player’s chances, Arteta praised his access after the match. Havertz was “great”, explained the Spaniard: his forechecking, his physique, his understanding of the game. It was just bad luck that he didn’t score. In the final phase, Arteta switched, letting Havertz act on the planned half-left side of midfield for a short time and then replacing him.
His competitive debut for Arsenal was a testament to the talent of the Gunners. However, the starting line-up still doesn’t seem well-rehearsed and the expectations around the club have increased noticeably. In order to refinance transfer expenses, re-qualification for the Champions League is almost mandatory. They would like to combine that with the championship in North London. But only one of the last twelve Community Shield winners went on to win the league title: Manchester City.