5 Talking Points As Arsenal Beat Man City on Penalties to Win Community Shield

• Arsenal beat Manchester City on penalties to win the Community Shield
• Leandro Trossard cancelled Cole Palmer's stunner in the last minute
• Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri missed spot kicks for the treble winners

The curtain raiser of the English top-flight league between Manchester City and Arsenal was settled on penalties, and the league's runners-up prevailed over the champions.

Arsenal were drafted to play the final as the second-placed team in the league after City won both the league and domestic cup last season, and Arteta's men made the most of it.

Sports Brief looks at five talking points from the game as English football prepares to start the 2023/24 season.

1. Kai Havertz is not a striker

The decision to start the summer recruit as a striker ahead of Eddie Nketiah after Gabriel Jesus' injury was questioned by fans; rightly so; the German didn't cover himself in glory. He missed two big chances in the first half and did not link up effectively with Martin Odegaard, who played number 10 behind him. It's an experiment that should not happen again.

Arsenal transfer news: Which players did Arsenal bring in during the January transfer window?

Football

2. Kovacic is not Gundogan's replacement

Ilkay Gundogan left Manchester City at the expiration of his contract and after captaining the team to a treble. Mateo Kovacic was immediately signed from Chelsea and handed the number 8 jersey. He is not on the same creative wavelength as the German, and the Community Shield match further proved it.

3. Balogun's right to want exit

Jesus was injured before the Emirates Cup, and Nketiah deputised for him. Arteta opted to start Havertz ahead of the British-Ghanaian striker, and Folarin Balogun was an unnamed sub. If Nketiah can't start, the American should consider the offer from Inter Milan.

4. Saliba crucial to Arsenal's defence

The France international defender seamlessly slotted into the Gunners team last season after a year on loan in Ligue 1. His injury was part of why the team collapsed in the title race. He brilliantly kept Haaland quiet throughout the Norwegian's 65 minutes on the pitch.

Fans react as Erling Haaland receives 'huge' amount of money after preseason win

Football

5. Grealish needs to do more

The £100m signing from Aston Villa in 2022 is entering his third season at the Etihad but has not quite hit the productivity level expected in that team. If he were not in a City team who have multiple options in attack and have trophies to show, he would already be considered a flop.

Haaland trolls Arsenal fans

Sports Brief reported on Erling Haaland trolling Arsenal fans after they booed him off when he was substituted on a rather frustrating day for the Premier League's golden boot winner.

He lifted three fingers to tell the day's opponents he won three trophies last season, and he couldn't care less about a glorified friendly even if his team lost, which they eventually did.