LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 6: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal celebrate with Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney after scoring goal during the match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
5 standout players in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory
Jurriën Timber is the signing of the summer 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ppYFVA5sAt
— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) August 6, 2023
2. Jurrien Timber
As soon as Timber was subbed off, we conceded down that left side (to be fair, Thomas Partey got spun by Phil Foden leading to the goal, but still).
It looks like Timber has been playing in this Arteta side for years. He fits in seamlessly, matching the technical talent and security of the best Arsenal players. He looks fearless and happy to take on opposition players and big risks.
It’s early stages but Timber for less than £40m is already looking like it might be the signing of the summer. Very solid defensively, comfortable on the ball and dangerous going forward, there is no limit to what this man can achieve in this Arsenal team.
William Saliba leading the Arsenal charge towards Aaron Ramsdale. 😤 pic.twitter.com/6jYfzH9Aoz
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 6, 2023
3. William Saliba
William Saliba is a Rolls Royce defender.
I honestly think that the Frenchman may move into defensive midfield at some point in his career due to his skill set. He seems to dribble in slow motion and yet he either gets past his man or he wins a foul.
He also keeps getting better and better at using his body to defend. At one point in the first half, an Arsenal corner is cleared and Saliba lingers a bit on the ball and it looks like a City player is going to snatch it. Somehow, he manages to act as a wall between the player and the ball and he just shrugs off the challenge from the most improbable position.
In the game, it sometimes felt like he was the only one instructed to only defend, especially after the team went down a goal. Saliba is more than capable of doing that. He put in some delightful clearances and tackles, and Erling Haaland was kept quiet for the whole game.
Continued on the next slide…
pic.twitter.com/7Fyddgl3kN
<p>— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://twitter.com/SemperFiArsenal/status/1688234851441516544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>City also took the game very seriously and had similar raucous celebrations after the Palmer goal. The result doesn’t impact the upcoming season much but it will be a massive mental boost for Arteta and his players to have beaten Manchester City, whatever the context.</p>
<p>The Gunners were very solid throughout the game. The first 20 minutes were all City but Arsenal grew into the game well and a draw was probably a fair result all things considered. It’s very impressive how far Arsenal have come in just a couple of years: the team now looks equal to City.</p>
<h2>5 standout players in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory</h2>
<p>There weren’t any poor performers in the Arsenal team and it was fairly difficult to pick standout players because of how solid each player was. Nevertheless,</p>
<h2>1. Martin Odegaard</h2>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What it means to the boys. Odegaard and Eddie 👏 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://t.co/31bWVUvymf">pic.twitter.com/31bWVUvymf
<p>— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://twitter.com/Gunnersc0m/status/1688239509668794368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>On the ball, off the ball, as a leader, and with the fans, Martin Odegaard was special today. No player on the pitch seemed to want to win more than him and he continues to impress me.</p>
<p>He is such a crucial element to our press and whenever he is triggered into the press, the players often seem to win the ball. He worked incredibly hard and led the team by example, getting the fans to vocalise their support too.</p>
<p>It was an Odegaard press that turned the tide of the first half in the favour of Arsenal. He was also very calm with the ball, found some killer passes and generally did what I have come to expect of him.</p>
<p>One of his highlights was turning Mateo Kovacic inside out in the second half.</p>
<p>The Norwegian was a little hot and cold in preseason but the performance against Manchester City has me incredibly reassured for the upcoming season. A team needs its captain and Martin Odegaard is comfortably one of the best captains in the league.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 and #3 standout performers </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jurriën Timber is the signing of the summer 🔥 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://t.co/ppYFVA5sAt">pic.twitter.com/ppYFVA5sAt
<p>— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://twitter.com/ArsenalN7/status/1688229812110770177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2>2. Jurrien Timber</h2>
<p>As soon as Timber was subbed off, we conceded down that left side (to be fair, Thomas Partey got spun by Phil Foden leading to the goal, but still).</p>
<p>It looks like Timber has been playing in this Arteta side for years. He fits in seamlessly, matching the technical talent and security of the best Arsenal players. He looks fearless and happy to take on opposition players and big risks.</p>
<p>It’s early stages but Timber for less than £40m is already looking like it might be the <a title="Jurrien Timber to Arsenal is the bargain of the summer" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/07/05/jurrien-timber-arsenal-bargain-summer/" rel="">signing of the summer</a>. Very solid defensively, comfortable on the ball and dangerous going forward, there is no limit to what this man can achieve in this Arsenal team.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">William Saliba leading the Arsenal charge towards Aaron Ramsdale. 😤 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://t.co/6jYfzH9Aoz">pic.twitter.com/6jYfzH9Aoz
<p>— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://twitter.com/Squawka_Live/status/1688240710615506944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2>3. William Saliba</h2>
<p>William Saliba is a Rolls Royce defender.</p>
<p>I honestly think that the Frenchman may move into defensive midfield at some point in his career due to his skill set. He seems to dribble in slow motion and yet he either gets past his man or he wins a foul.</p>
<p>He also keeps getting better and better at using his body to defend. At one point in the first half, an Arsenal corner is cleared and Saliba lingers a bit on the ball and it looks like a City player is going to snatch it. Somehow, he manages to act as a wall between the player and the ball and he just shrugs off the challenge from the most improbable position.</p>
<p>In the game, it sometimes felt like he was the only one instructed to only defend, especially after the team went down a goal. Saliba is more than capable of doing that. He put in some delightful clearances and tackles, and Erling Haaland was kept quiet for the whole game.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #4 standout performer </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Martin Ødegaard’s delicious pass finds Bukayo Saka in behind & he crosses for Kai Havertz, who, once again, is denied by Ortega. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://t.co/c1WphPYxkX">pic.twitter.com/c1WphPYxkX
<p>— afcstuff (@afcstuff) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1688216814830964736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2>4. Kai Havertz</h2>
<p>When Arteta signed Havertz, it was unclear whether he planned to play him in the Granit Xhaka role or as a CF. Today, Kai played up top and he did a brilliant job.</p>
<p>His hold-up and back-to-goal play was excellent, never losing the ball, moving the attack on and drawing fouls. He linked up well with his teammates even if he did seem a bit timid at times.</p>
<p>He definitely should have scored one of his two chances in the first half but getting two opportunities like that against City is a much more important indicator of his quality. It’s thanks to his movement that he has so much time for that second opportunity and goals will come.</p>
<p>What makes me particularly excited about Havertz’s performance today is the fact that Arteta is cooking up different match plans for different opposition, with various players in varied roles. An issue last season was predictability come the second half of the season: teams knew how to set up against us.</p>
<p>With players like Havertz who can play several different roles, Arteta can make up devilish team formations and tactics. The flags for the upcoming season are all green so far.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #5 standout performer </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leandro Trossard, via a heavy deflection, draws Arsenal level in the dying seconds of the match, taking it to penalties! <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://t.co/tOIoVRHcJ1">pic.twitter.com/tOIoVRHcJ1
<p>— afcstuff (@afcstuff) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1688235856916512768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 6, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2>5. Leandro Trossard</h2>
<p>The difference maker. Of course, the deflection on Trossard’s strike was very fortunate but his fake cross just beforehand was inspired and in football, you have to make your own luck.</p>
<p>The Belgian was only subbed on with fifteen minutes to go but he still managed to score the equaliser. The highest-scoring Gunner in pre-season, Trossard continues to be quality every time he plays.</p>
<p>There’s just something about the way he receives the ball and dribbles or links up with his teammates that moves me. The best players like Messi and Hazard move in their own way, and so does Leandro Trossard.</p>
<p>With only a few minutes on the pitch, he didn’t affect the game that much outside of his goal. But when the goal in question is a 90+9 equaliser, that point is a bit irrelevant.</p>
<p>Ben White also had a fantastic game with some great forays forward, Aaron Ramsdale looked cool and composed and Declan Rice had a great outing. It was a very solid day for the Arsenal team and fans and players alike should be relishing that opener against Nottingham Forest.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="zy8ombw2MP"><p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/">Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City (4-1p) – 3 talking points from Community Shield win</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" title="“Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City (4-1p) – 3 talking points from Community Shield win” — Pain in the Arsenal" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/5-standout-players-arsenal-community-shield-victory/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/08/07/3-talking-points-arsenal-community-shield-win-man-city/embed/#?secret=eN6tMO7t9G#?secret=zy8ombw2MP" data-secret="zy8ombw2MP" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div>
<p>The title is there for the taking.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
