Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a superb goal and netted the winning penalty in a shootout as Arsenal beat Premier League champions Liverpool in the Community Shield at an empty Wembley Stadium.
His curling strike gave FA Cup winners Arsenal the lead in the first half before Liverpool substitute Takumi Minamino equalised after the break.
Minamino’s flicked pass to Mohamed Salah bounced back kindly for him to slot home from close range.
There was a quick VAR check for handball by Salah but the replay showed no clear contact.
It is the second year in a row Liverpool have lost on penalties after Manchester City’s victory in 2019.
Penalty shootout domination – the best of the stats
- Arsenal have won the Community Shield for a 16th time (including shared titles), overtaking opponents Liverpool (15 times) and only behind Manchester United (21). The Gunners have won the trophy in four of the last seven seasons.
- Liverpool are the first side ever to lose the Community Shield on penalties in back-to-back years; this is also the first time the Reds have participated in the competition twice in two seasons without winning it (including shared) since the 1983 and 1984 matches.
- Arsenal have won the Community Shield as FA Cup winners seven times (including as league/cup double winners and including shared titles) – more than any other side. Each of their last four Community Shield victories have come as FA Cup winners.
- They are the only the second side to win the Community Shield after a penalty shootout more than once, after Manchester United (five times).
- Arsenal have won nine of their last 11 penalty shootouts in all competitions, including two in the Community Shield. Meanwhile, Liverpool have lost three of their last five shootouts, including two in the Community Shield.
- Aubameyang is now Arsenal’s joint-top scorer in games played at Wembley Stadium (5, level with Alexis Sanchez). Aubameyang’s five goals at the ground have come in the space of just 42 days.
- Only Kevin De Bruyne (22) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (15) have provided more assists for Premier League sides in all competitions since the start of last season than Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (13).
- Minamino is the first player to score his first ever goal for Liverpool at Wembley, netting this goal in his 15th appearance and with his 12th shot for the Reds in all competitions.
BBC
