Arsenal claimed the first trophy on offer for the season after defeating Manchester City on penalties to claim the Community Shield for the 17th time.
Community Shield
Result: Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal (Arsenal won 4-1 on penalties)
Date: 06 August 2023
Venue: Wembley Stadium
With Gabriel Jesus out injured, new signing Kai Havertz started in the striker's role while Declan Rice and Justin Timber also made their debuts.
The Citizens, meanwhile, gave a debut to Mateo Kovacic as Julian Alvarez partnered Erling Haaland up front while Kevin de Bruyen was only named on the substitutes bench.
The Citizens enjoyed most of the possession in the opening exchanges but without De Bruyne on the park, they struggled to find the final pass to for Haaland and Alvarez.
The first real opening fell to the Gunners on 25 minutes when Ben White surged down the right before picking out Havertz, who turned well before seeing his shot saved by Stefan Ortega while John Stones blocked Gabriel Martinelli's follow-up.
While Pep Guardiola's side struggled to get things going, Havertz squandered a big chance before the break when he could only fire straight at Ortega from six yards after some good work by Bukayo Saka.
Guardiola waited until the 56th minute to make a change in the attack, as the ineffective Jack Grealish made way for countryman Phil Foden on the left side.
De Bruyen and Cole Palmer were also introduced with 20 minutes to play and the change almost paid off immediately but the latter saw his shot deflected over the crossbar by Timber.
The Citizens got their reward in the 79th minute as Palmer found the back of the net with an impressive curling finish that left Aaron Ramsdale with no chance between the sticks.
City did nearly add to their tally in the closing stages but Ramsdale produced a superb save to deny Foden in the box and another stop to keep out Rodri at the near post from De Bruyne's corner.
With the game seemingly headed for a City win, the Gunners grabbed an equaliser in the 110th minute whenn Leandro Trossard's shot took a big deflection and sailed into the back of the net, sending the game to penalties.
It was Mikel Arteta's men who held their nerve to triumph 4-1 in the shoot-out after De Bruyne and Rodri failed to convert for the Citizens.
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