FA Community Shield 2020: Mikel Arteta makes it two wins from two finals at Wembley

Arsenal triumphed over Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties to secure the Community Shield after Liverpool equalised late on to drag the game into penalties at an overcast Wembley.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues his fine form for Arsenal as he puts the Gunners in front with a brilliant finish following a sweeping move to give Mikel Arteta’s FA Cup holders the lead after just 12 minutes.

After dominating the entirety of the first half, it was Liverpool’s turn in the second period and deservedly levelled when substitute Takumi Minamino slotted his first goal since his January move from Red Bull Salzburg to send the game to penalties.

Rhian Brewster was introduced in second-half stoppage time ahead of the shootout, but it was his miss which proved costly as his spot-kick clipped the bar, allowing Aubameyang to step up and seal the victory for the Gunners.

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The traditional curtain-raiser took place less than a month after the FA Cup final was played with Mikel Arteta described the timing of this glamorised friendly as “awkward” but there is never a bad time to be beating Liverpool.

Arsenal overcame an early scare as VAR correctly adjudged Virgil Van Dijk for being in an offside position when he scored from Andrew Robertson’s set-piece. But then we were reminded of the identity Arteta has brought to this Arsenal side.

Emi Martinez, on his return to the team, began a seven-pass move playing out from the back as the excellent Bukayo Saka found Aubameyang in his favoured left-side position and the Arsenal talisman cut onto his right boot and unleashed an unstoppable shot low into the bottom corner.

The special strike was followed by a special celebration as Aubameyang paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman, best known for playing Black Panther in the hit Marvel superhero franchise, who has died aged 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

Arsenal’s wastefulness in front of goal in the first half cost them as Liverpool came back into the game and 20 minutes of continued pressure broke the Gunner’s defence to allow substitute Minamino restore parity for the Premier League champions.

Stats and facts from the match (Backed by Opta)

• Arsenal have won the Community Shield for a 16th time (including shared titles), overtaking opponents Liverpool (15 times) and only behind Manchester United (21). Indeed, the Gunners have won the trophy in four of the last seven seasons.
• Liverpool are the first side ever to lose the Community Shield on penalties in back-to-back years; this is also the first time the Reds have participated in the competition twice in two seasons without winning it (including shared) since the 1983 and 1984 matches.
• Arsenal have won the Community Shield as FA Cup winners seven times (including as league/cup double winners and including shared titles) – more than any other side. Indeed, each of their last four Community Shield victories have come as FA Cup winners.
• Arsenal are only the second side to win the Community Shield after a penalty shootout more than once, after Manchester United (five times).
• Arsenal have won nine of their last 11 penalty shootouts in all competitions, including two in the Community Shield. Meanwhile, Liverpool have lost three of their last five shootouts, including two in the Community Shield.