Arsenal Draw First Blood

In an entertaining FA Community Shield curtain-raiser; it was Arsenal who caused an upset by beating Liverpool 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at full-time. Perhaps surprisingly; it was Arsenal who had largely the control of the game; with their defence looking surprisingly water-tight and well-positioned.

They in fact took the lead midway through the first half; with the play-from-the-back mantra espoused by Mikel Arteta coming to the fore. Like a smooth Barca-type flow move; the ball was relayed up to Bukayo Saka; who was having an inventive game as the inverted winger on the right flank.

With precociousness beyond his years; he relayed a smooth ball to the other flank for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The man-of-the-moment took it brilliantly under his spell; cut inside Neco Williams as he does; and curled a shot brilliantly past a diving Allison. It was poor defending from rookie Williams; who afforded too much space for Aubameyang to cut in to his favoured right foot.

In the second half; Juergen Klopp decided to switch to a more offensive 4-2-3-1 formation; bringing on Takumi Minamino & Naby Keita for James Milner & Neco Williams; and it did work to pressure the Arsenal defence deeper & deeper. In the end; they managed to equalise somewhat fortuitously when a loose ball in the penalty area found its way to Minamino; who scored his first-ever Liverpool goal.

As the match went to penalties; it was late substitute Rhian Brewster who crashed his effort against the crossbar; having hardly had a touch in the game, it was a somewhat risky choice for him to take the kick. In contrast; all five Arsenal takers dispatched their efforts confidently; to ensure the continued rise of Arteta's team gathers momentum.