Arsenal FC won their first title of the season. In the English Community Shield, the duel between cup winners and champions, the London club prevailed 5-4 (1-0) on penalties against Liverpool FC, trained by Jürgen Klopp. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the decisive penalty after scoring the opening goal in the 12th minute. The interim equalizer fell through Takumi Minamino (74th minute), after 90 minutes it went straight to penalties.
For the game against the English champions Arsenal were entitled to win the FA Cup in early August. At that time, the team of coach Mikel Arteta had prevailed in the final 2: 1 (1: 1) against city rivals FC Chelsea, both goals scored by captain and top scorer Aubameyang.
Against Liverpool, the Gabonese managed a remarkable single action just a few minutes after kick-off: From the left wing he put the ball in the direction of the middle and flicked the ball into the far corner. When celebrating the goal, Aubameyang pays homage to the late US actor Chadwick Boseman, who was best known for his portrayal of the Marvel superhero “Black Panther”. Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton performed the same pose that afternoon after his successful qualifying session.
Before the break, Liverpool almost equalized, with Roberto Firmino (51st) and Sadio Mané (56th) just missing out in the second half. For Minamino, the equalization was the first competitive goal for Liverpool after his move from RB Salzburg in January. The goal was preceded by a dribble by Mohamed Salah, who wanted to play a one-two with the Japanese, but landed a deflection at his feet. Minamino hit the right corner from close range.
The subsequent penalty shoot-out went without a shot until Liverpool’s third shooter, 20-year-old young striker Rhian Brewster, only hit the crossbar. Aubameyang, who took Arsenal’s fifth penalty, gave Liverpool keeper Alisson no chance with his right-angle shot.
