There was much derision on social media channels about the manner of Arsenal’s celebrations after winning the Community Shield on Sunday. Spraying champagne and hoisting the silver, so the arguments went, should be saved for meaningful and hard-fought victories, not pre-season friendlies and certainly not ones delivered with a stoppage time deflection and a fairly dismal penalty display from Man City.
But as their beaten opponents will tell you, any trophy should be celebrated and used to add momentum and belief to the group. And while Arsenal showed that they probably still have work to do to catch up with City, it is difficult to construe that this was anything other than a positive step and must be used as such.
Arsenal had not beaten City in eight attempts before yesterday and although this slightly fortunate draw and shootout win finished all square this was an improvement. There were also positive signs that Mikel Arteta’s summer spending has not been misplaced.
Declan Rice was over-priced at £105million but had a solid game moving vertically through the midfield, sitting alongside Thomas Partey deep at times but shifting into a more forward position when Arsenal pressed. Bukayo Saka and Ben White combined well on the right flank with what moments of discomfort City endured mainly coming from their efforts.
And Kai Havertz, whilst no centre forward, but did well and, most importantly, looked strong on occasions holding the ball up. With better finishing he might have had two goals. When Gabriel Jesus returns – he gave a thumbs up when asked how he was feeling walking through the media mixed zone after the game – he will provide the focal point and Havertz will presumably drop a touch into the pocket where his skill will be more effective.
By far the most promising effort of the three new signings came from Jurien Timber who produced a confident and skilful display of progressive full back play on the left flank. Up against Kyle Walker he was tested but looks a player who can do well in the Premier League – fast, forward thinking and athletic.
Aaron Ramsdale’s positive reaction despite the prospect of David Raya arriving and dislodging him from the No 1 spot was another positive as were the performances of Wiliam Saliba and Gabriel who kept Erling Haaland quiet. City were clearly undercooked having started their season just two and a half weeks ago and having been on tour of the far east in temparatures and humidity in Japan that could poach an egg. They will improve and caused Arsenal all manner of problems once Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden arrived on the scene after the hour mark.
But Arsenal held on to their coat tails and forced the victory in the end. The last two winners of the Community Shield were Leicester City and Liverpool, the first who are now in the Championship and the second who entered a tailspin after victory that saw them fail to qualify for the Champions League.
The Gunners will hope for a significantly better season that either of those. The test of their mettle did not come at Wembley but will be home games against Manchester United on September 3 and City on October 7.
That will give genuine indication as to whether Arsenal have rectified the faults which saw them make a blistering start before falling in a heap. But you cannot blame them for celebrating a positive first step.