Arsenal win Community Shield with victory over Man City

Arsenal started the new season in the way they finished the last one, by winning a trophy. Sunday afternoon saw the Gunners take on League winners Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley, and despite both sides having weakened line-ups, it was Arsenal who ran out victors with a 3-0 win. Arsenal hadn't had the best pre-season possible having lost 2 out of the 4 games they played but they showed no form of rustiness with a brilliant counter attacking display against City. Alexis Sanchez, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy all made their competitive debuts whilst new captain Mikel Arteta started in midfield. With Giroud lacking match fitness Sanogo started up front following his four goals against Benfica in the Emirates Cup.

It was a very comfortable display from Arsenal who dominated for many periods of the game and weren't really troubled by a City side who were lacking in strength due to a number of their World Cup players not featuring. Arsenal were without the likes of Ozil, Mertesacker and Podolski but that didn't seem to matter as Cazorla, Ramsey and Giroud sealed another win at Wembley for Arsenal.

Santi Cazorla's goal came at a time where we had been putting an unerring amount of pressure on City. The Spaniard, back from an unsuccessful World Cup campaign, put that all behind him as he swiveled and put the ball onto his left foot before firing past former team mate Willy Caballero in the City goal. The second goal was taken brilliantly by Aaron Ramsey as he linked up with Yaya Sanogo before flicking the ball over the defenders leg and firing into the far corner. The game was to be settled by a bit of rare individual brilliance from Olivier Giroud. He got the ball 30 yards out from goal and hit a dipping effort which sailed into the net for undoubtedly his best goal in the red and white of Arsenal.

Olivier Giroud was bizarrely given the man of the match award despite only playing the second half. In my opinion the young Calum Chambers at centre half deserved it for an outstanding performance. A few eye brows were raised at the £16m price-tag but that has all been forgotten after some brilliant displays at the Emirates Cup were followed up by an excellent display of defending yesterday against City. For such a young player he has adapted remarkably well and looks as though he's been playing for years. He's very assured and composed on the ball, whilst his decision making and reading of the game is also brilliant. He reminds me a little bit of Per Mertesacker, just younger and with obviously more pace.

The other debutantes meanwhile also put in a solid shift. I was a bit apprehensive about the signing of Mathieu Debuchy but having seen him play yesterday he's an absolute warrior and gave his all for the team. He got stuck in and made some brilliant tackles which contributed to a comfortable defensive display for the Gunners. Alexis Sanchez ran himself into the ground in the first half before being substituted at half time. He never stopped running and could've had a goal and a number of assists to himself.

Arsenal lifted the Community Shield for the first time in 10 years

With the Germans to come back into the side, everything looks very positive at Arsenal at the moment. One or two more additions and I think we'd be set but providing the players stay relatively injury free we should be there or there abouts in terms of the Premier League this season. Our first game of the season is against Palace and here's to hoping it'll be a lot lot better than 2013/14's opening day!

The teams line-ups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny(45), Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey(83), Wilshere(67), Sanchez(45), Cazorla(70), Sanogo(45). 
Subs: Martinez, Monreal(45), Flamini(67), Rosicky(70), Oxlade-Chamberlain(45), Campbell(83), Giroud(45). 

Manchester City: Caballero, Clichy, Boyata, Nastasic, Kolarov(75), Fernando, Toure(60), Navas(83), Nasri(45), Dzeko(60), Jovetic. 
Subs: Hart, Richards(75), Rekik, Zucilini(60), Milner(60), Silva(45), Sinclair(83). 

My man of the match: Calum Chambers.

Referee: Michael Oliver.
Attendance: 71,523.