Arsenal drew first blood in the 2023/24 English football season with victory in the Community Shield. Cole Palmer’s goal looked like winning the match for Manchester City but Arsenal struck back deep into stoppage time through Leandro Trossard’s deflected equaliser.
In the penalty shoot-out, Kevin de Bruyne and Rodrigo missed for City, allowing Fabio Vieira to slot home the winning spot kick. Here’s how the players rated.
Arsenal (4-3-3)
Aaron Ramsdale
Excellent save in shootout after looking in very good form during the 90 minutes. Had halfway line Rodri shot covered and saved well from Stones, Foden and Rodri second half. No chance with Palmer goal. **8/10 **
Ben White
Picked his time to get forward from full-back and when he ran at City midway through first half set up the chance that either Havertz or Martinelli could have finished. Good battle with Grealish. 6/10
Gabriel Magalhães
Got his foot and body in the way of traffic and City tried to find a way through. Had a good presence at the back against the best forward line in the Premier League. BOOKED. **6/10 **
William Saliba
His future is now sorted after signing a new contract this summer and he will surely be the mainstay of Arsenal’s defence this season. Looks composed and positioned himself well as Haaland gravitated to him. **7/10 **
Jurrien Timber
Very solid start for the £34million summer recruit from Ajax, who played most of last season at centre-back for the Dutch giants but looked comfortable at left-back where he had pace to get out of trouble and wandered inside on the ball. Top block to deny Palmer. **7/10 **
Thomas Partey
Could have done better in build-up to Palmer goal. Grabbed Alvarez early on to earn a booking and was on a tightrope afterwards. Lost ball for Rodrigo chance during untidy moment as he looked to impose himself on the game. BOOKED. 5/10
Declan Rice
Most expensive British player threw himself into aerial battles and got around the pitch well without being the player that made his team tick. That will come in time as he gets used to his team-mates and the style of Arsenal. **6/10 **
Martin Odegaard
Some lovely touches as he got on the ball and tried to create for his team from his position between the midfield and forward line. Started whipping up the crowd in the second half with the match in the balance. **6/10 **
Bukayo Saka
Cut inside and went wide with his first chance as he gradually got more into the game in the first half. Also teed up Havertz for a good chance as he looked to pick up where he left off for England before the summer break. **6/10 **
Kai Havertz
Earmarked as a midfielder but needed as a No9 and showed good hold-up play. Had two great chances to score in the first half but was saved twice by Ortega and he may have felt he could do better with the finishes. BOOKED. **5/10 **
Gabriel Martinelli
Lost the ball in a dangerous area in the first half. He had a sight of goal but his effort was saved by Ortega, then received yellow card for needless trip on Stones. BOOKED. 5/10
Subs: Trossard 75 (Martinelli), Nketiah 80 (Rice), Smith Rowe 87 (Gabriel), Vieira 87 (Havertz), Tierney 76 (Timber). Not used: Turner (g), Kiwor, Holding, Tomiyasu. Booked: Arteta
Man City (4-2-4)
Stefan Ortega
Has been dependable when called upon during his time at City and here he made two saves to deny Havertz. With the ball at his feet he is sometimes ahead of his centre-backs as a sweeper. 6/10
Kyle Walker
His future is uncertain as Bayern Munich want him before the transfer deadline but he was handed the captain’s armband as a sign of his standing in this City team. 6/10
John Stones
Took him 15 minutes before he started wandering into midfield but on the whole was an orthodox centre-back and got in the way of everything, which included a brave block with his hands behind back. 8/10
Ruben Dias
Took a knock early second half but these will be inevitable with the way he commands the backline. Will again be the main centre-back for Pep Guardiola this season. Won important duels. 7/10
Manuel Akanji
Desperately unlucky with deflection for equaliser. Earlier got more adventurous with his runs forward as he gets accustomed to the left-back role under Guardiola. Very solid when he goes one-v-one against a winger too. **6/10 **
Mateo Kovacic
Won ball in first 30 seconds, showing a sign of intent on his City debut after his summer move from Chelsea. He hustled the ball forward for City too, showing both sides to his game which is why he was recruited by Guardiola. 6/10
Rodrigo
Clearly has a taste for goals after his winner in the Champions League final last season. Shot wide early on from the edge of the area, had a shot from the halfway line and almost scored with a diving header. All-action. 7/10
Bernardo Silva
Why City would entertain him leaving is a mystery. Saudi Arabian clubs would love a player like this in their league - everything he touches is class and makes almost no mistakes while adding energy. Will be more productive on other afternoons. 6/10
Julian Alvarez
Harsh yellow for kicking the ball away in the first half and in the second half set up a chance on the break for Foden. Playing up front with Haaland needs a little bit of work but can be threatening this season. BOOKED. 6/10
Erling Haaland
Struggled to get into the game and chances were few and far between - he did not have a sniff. He cannot be faulted for workrate though and holds the ball up for his team-mates. 5/10
Jack Grealish
Would have liked to have got in more crosses from his flank but still got on the ball and looked threatening at times. Foden and Palmer attacked from a different angle when they came on and changed the game. 5/10
Subs: Foden 58 (Grealish), Palmer 64 (Haaland), De Bruyne 64 (Kovacic). Not used: Ederson (g), Phillips, Laporte, Gomez, Lewis, McAtee
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
