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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates his first goal for Arsenal against Liverpool in the Community Shield
Who stole the headlines and who was below average when Arsenal beat Liverpool on penalties to lift the Community Shield?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s fantastic early shot gave Arsenal the lead and held on for a long time at Wembley, before substitute Takumi Minamino seized his chance and converted from close range to equalize Liverpool.
Joe Willock was closer to a winner, but failed to direct a free header at the target with five minutes to go, though it didn’t matter in the long run.
Rhian Brewster, brought in in injury time to take a penalty, was the only player to miss when he threw his effort against the crossbar and Aubameyang scored the last pen to give the Gunners a 5-4 victory from the point.
Arsenal
Emiliano Martinez – 8
He was not forced to save before the break as the Arsenal defense kept Liverpool out, but twice he quickly stepped out of line to deny Mane, on either side of Minamino’s attack. He has ventured between the clubs with both hands and is full of confidence.
Hector Bellerin – 7
Always a threat advancing and defending with discipline before leaving. You will be disappointed by the number of times Robertson was able to get the ball into the box.
David Luiz – 6
He lost the ball while trying to play from behind too often and seemed nervous doing that. He did his defensive job well for the most part.
Rob Holding – 6
With a tip to go to Newcastle on loan and the center-back showed at Wembley why they would want him. He dealt well with Liverpool’s three powerful forwards and only let Mane come in behind him once with a long ball from Van Dijk.
Kieran Tierney – 7
He showed his usual desire to defend and clear balls from his area and also advanced a lot, acting more as a left back when Arsenal had the ball and as a center back when they did not have it. Tired as the game progressed, but ready for a great season.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 8
The youngster really grew up in the game and was fantastic against Mohamed Salah and the Liverpool forwards. It’s hard to see why Arsenal are reportedly prepared to sell the youngster, with the Wolves interested, and he continues to produce on the big stage.
Mohamed Elneny – 7
He probably never expected to put on an Arsenal shirt again after spending a season on loan at Besiktas, but he produced a clean and tidy display. He used the ball sensibly when he had it and, as part of the deep midfield duo, frustrated Liverpool.
Granit Xhaka – 7
He did the ugly parts of the game very well in the first half, picking up fumbles and making important interceptions. A vocal presence in the middle too.
Bukayo Saka showed his quality again at Wembley
Bukayo Saka – 8
He seems to get better and better every time he plays. A big ball towards Aubameyang helped set up the goal and he should have had another assist when a perfectly balanced pass led Nketiah to force Alisson into a clever save. Quieter after the break when Liverpool locked Arsenal in their own half.
Eddie Nketiah – 6
Encouraged by the middle and showed Arteta enough before the break to suggest that it should be used there regularly. He may feel like he should have beaten Alisson in the first half, but he did nothing wrong with his low finish.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 8
Delivered with your first participation. Fantastic finish in the top corner to score five goals in his last three matches at Wembley. Aubameyang has a lot of quality in the final third and the Gunners have to retain him if they want to progress this season.
Subs
Cedric Soares (for Bellerin, 58 minutes) – 6
An unnecessary foul on Minamino gave Liverpool a dangerous free kick and saw the ball bounce off him to set up Minamino’s equalizer.
Joe Willock (for Saka, 82 minutes) – N / A
He should have done better with a free header inside the box, but he could only deflect it from the far post.
Reiss Nelson (for Nketiah, 82 minutes) – N / A
He showed good character to the network from the place.
Sead Kolasinac (for Tierney, 82 minutes) N / A
Liverpool
Alisson Becker – 7
Alisson couldn’t do much with Aubameyang’s good shot, but he made a fantastic low save to prevent Nketiah from making it two shortly after. Apart from that, it was not a difficult afternoon for the Brazilian as Liverpool dominated the ball.
Neco Williams – 5
A nervous display from Williams, who battled the fantastic Aubameyang. He gave the striker too much room for the goal and those who preceded him gave him little help.
Joe Gomez – 6
He felt the wrath of Van Dijk when he gave up the ball early and didn’t always look comfortable when Nketiah buzzed around him. He went to right back in the second half and showed his versatility.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
He was unnecessarily offside when he made Robertson’s early free kick. He did his defensive work with his usual calm demeanor and sprayed a couple of beautiful long balls, including one for Mane early in the second period.
Andy Robertson – 7
Liverpool’s best player in a surprisingly mediocre performance in the first half, Robertson scored eight crosses and all were of the highest quality before the break. That no one put himself at the end of them was not his fault and he kept that role throughout the game.
Fabinho – 5
After a brilliant start, he delivered the ball twice in quick succession, which seemed to sap his confidence. He moved back to central defender, but it wasn’t tested much.
James Milner – 6
The veteran was Liverpool’s best midfielder while on the field, always busy and looking to find clearance when advancing.
Gigi Wijnaldum – 5
Unusually sloppy in possession during a poor performance in the first half and just failed to leave any kind of mark on the proceedings. It was a surprise to see Milner take off instead of the Dutchman.
Sadio Mane – 7
Twice he was thwarted by Martinez running out of line to quell his attempts. Perhaps he should have done better with the former, but he was by far the sharpest of Liverpool’s much vaunted three forwards.
Mohamed Salah – 5
He simply could not participate in the game, although it was not for lack of trying. He had to leave the right flank to try to find opportunities while trying to make an impact, but the strong Arsenal defense kept him very calm.
Takumi Minamino impressed by Liverpool
Roberto Firmino – 6
Anonymous in the first half, Firmino came close to equalizing when he collected the ball and tried his luck from outside the area shortly after the break. But he found lack of service and when the balls got into the area, the Brazilian could not get into the end.
Subs
Takumi Minamino (for Williams, 59 minutes) -8
A really brilliant appearance off the bench for Minamino and as a result he scored his first goal for Liverpool. Great composure when the ball bounced his way to beat Martinez. He had tried his luck from a distance shortly after coming in with a shot that was easy for Martinez and deftly won a free throw to Soares before that shot as well.
Naby Keita (for Milner, 59 minutes) – 6
However, he lived up to his price and didn’t have the same influence as his partner Minamino.
Curtis Jones (for Firmino, 82 minutes) – N / A
A well-executed penalty at the time of scoring.
Rhian Brewster (for Wijnaldum, 92 minutes) – N / A
He missed the penalty after being brought in just to execute it.
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