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Liverpool talent Rhian Brewster (20) came in to take part in the penalty shoot-out against Arsenal. The choice was fateful in the Community Shield final.
Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster missed the penalty shoot-out and gave Arsenal the victory. Justin Tallis / AP / NTB scanpix
Arsenal-Liverpool 1-1 (5-4 on penalties)
Just 28 days ago, Arsenal emerged victorious from the FA Cup final against Chelsea. At that point, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang became the great hero with two goals in the team’s 2-1 victory over the London rival.
That triumph was also the reason they played the Community Shield trophy match against reigning Premier League champion Liverpool on Saturday night.
Also on Saturday night, Aubameyang was central. The 31-year-old shoved the ball into the net early in the first half behind a game-outscored Alisson in Liverpool’s cage.
Arsenal’s star forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, scored the first goal of the match and also put up the decisive Community Shield penalty against Liverpool. Justin Tallis / AP / NTB scanpix
Liverpool drew substitute Takumi Minamino just over a quarter of an hour before full time. There were no more goals, and so, this year as last year, the stage was set for a penalty shoot-out.
It was Arsenal who had the coolest head, thus securing the first trophy of the season. Aubameyang put the decisive penalty.
Liverpool’s boom was Rhian Brewster. Jürgen Klopp put the youngster within two minutes of extra time, and it was obviously a choice considering the penalty shoot-out. That decision did not go as expected by the German.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lifts the Community Shield trophy. Andrew Couldridge, Reuters
– I’m so happy. I knew the challenge we face today. Thanks to the players for their efforts and achievements, said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the victory.
The win builds on what has been a strong period for Arsenal after the crown break.
– This creates faith. Being able to compete against teams like this in a final makes me happy, continued the Spaniard.
Klopp was disappointed, but trapped after the loss.
– When you play against a formation like this, you have to be very healthy in the last third. You have to force it forward, create angles. Our pace to do that slowed down a bit. Today was not enough.
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Aubameyang House Heating
Not entirely unexpected, Liverpool took control of the game early on. Liverpool goalkeeper Virgil van Dijk hit the ball into the goal even before seven minutes had been played, but Arsenal’s defenders were able to breathe a sigh of relief when the assistant referee signaled offside.
Aubameyang decided when Arsenal won the FA Cup in early August. The same man clearly showed how much he loves himself at Wembley when he gave the London club the lead with an exquisite shot from the 16-meter corner in twelve minutes into the game.
A few minutes later, Eddie Nketiah set off after an excellent counterattack from the Gunners, but Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson stopped the youngster’s shot.
Liverpool moved on
After a somewhat rocky start from the reigning Premier League champions, Klopp’s machine was put into gear later in the round. Arsenal were played extremely low as the scouts finally picked up speed on the ball, but still led when the referee blew for the break.
It was a while before the chances came after the break. Star winger Sadio Mané came to an end alone against Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez soon after, but a strong hand from the Argentine deflected the attempt.
After a good run for Liverpool, it was substitute Minamino who got the honor of equalizing in the 73rd minute. The Japanese controlled the ball in the net to the left behind a Martinez without a chance after stick and babbling on the field.
Mané was dangerous up front ten minutes before full time. The Senegalese took the ball to his chest and tried to get it into the goal, but he got too close to Arsenal’s last defense when he was about to finish and the opportunity went to the sand.
Liverpool pushed and pushed, but there were no more goals. Therefore, the Super Cup again had to decide in the penalty shootout. Last year it was Manchester City who won, against Liverpool.
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Nervedrama
Mohamed Salah, who was otherwise invisible for much of the match, scored the first goal on the penalty shoot-out. Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson equalized with a goal just after.
Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Fabinho was also safe from the penalty spot, but so was Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The first boom came when Liverpool’s youngster Rhian Brewster just hit the crossbar. Arsenal’s Cédric knew he was in trouble after taking down an opponent.
David Luiz was also safe from the penalty spot, causing Curtis Jones to score for the Merseyside club. He did it, but it didn’t last. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ensured Arsenal’s victory.
It’s two weeks until the Premier League starts again. Liverpool got off to a rocky start in their bid to defend the league trophy with a match against newly promoted Leeds, as well as big clubs Chelsea and Arsenal in the first three matches. Arteta’s Arsenal will face Fulham London in the game that kicks off this year’s season at the highest level in English football.
(© NTB)
