Mikel Arteta’s team was forced into a penalty shootout due to Leandro Trossard’s late equalizer in the 11th minute of injury time, which nullified Cole Palmer’s superb strike that had given Man City the lead at the end of the second half at Wembley.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne missed a penalty in the shootout, and Aaron Ramsdale thwarted Rodri’s effort before Fabio Vieira secured the victory with his decisive spot-kick. The match marked the opening of the new Premier League season.
Arsenal’s jubilant celebrations were a testament to their determination and the challenges they’ve overcome. The victory resonated with the fans, reflecting the team’s resilience and commitment to their colors.
Mikel Arteta expressed his elation, stating, “It feels amazing. There’s nothing better than winning a cup at Wembley against the best team in the world. We’re here to win titles for this club. Seeing so many people happy and proud is fantastic.”
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s coach, commented, “We are disappointed. We wanted to win today. Manchester City is a good team, but sometimes you lose. In the end, they were better at taking their penalties.”
Manchester City had made history by becoming only the second English club to clinch the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup in a single season. Their fifth Premier League title in six seasons came at the expense of Arsenal, who had squandered an eight-point lead they held in early April to trail the champions by five points.
Arsenal, boasting new signings like Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber, had reasons to prove their mettle to Man City. They showed urgency in their attacking plays and a determination to make a difference.
As Arteta and his players soaked in the exuberant celebrations with the fans, they were reminded that the Community Shield winners had claimed the Premier League title only once since 2011.
Leading the table for 248 days in the previous season, Arsenal fell behind, prompting Arteta to acknowledge that they would need an unprecedented points tally to thwart the champions’ bid for a fourth consecutive title.
Arteta can take encouragement from England’s Declan Rice, whose composed performance shone after his £105 million move from West Ham. Another new face, Timber, impressed as a left-back, but Havertz’s wastefulness dampened Arsenal’s chances to take the lead.
Havertz will be expected to lead Arsenal’s attack while Gabriel Jesus recovers from knee surgery. However, this was not the ideal introduction for the German player to his new club, as he lacked the required consistency.
Mateo Kovacic showed his energy in his Man City debut after transferring from Chelsea. Unfortunately, Croatian teammate Josko Gvardiol was absent due to his recent move from Leipzig.
Palmer, substituting the anonymous Erling Haaland in the second half, demonstrated his potential by scoring in the 77th minute. When Kieran Tierney’s mistake led to a De Bruyne header, Palmer capitalized with a precise finish from the edge of the penalty area.
In a sign that time-wasting tactics would have their consequences, Arsenal managed to equalize in the 11th minute of extra time. Trossard’s fortuitous strike, deflected off Manuel Akanji and Stefan Ortega, sealed the draw.
Arteta’s ecstatic celebration mirrored an actual title win, and the Spanish coach’s emotions overflowed as Vieira turned the decisive penalty into a catalyst for the upcoming title race.
