Arsenal beat last season’s Premier League title rivals Manchester City on penalties in the Community Shield after a dogged display, to kick off the new campaign with a trophy.

The Gunners showed patience and resilience to come back after City took the lead in the 77th minute, sticking to their plan and piling the pressure on in the final third until substitute Leandro Trossard scored a deflected equaliser late in stoppage time.

It was a strong show of character by the Arsenal players, even if it was only the Community Shield, but Mikel Arteta prides himself on setting a winning mentality and beating Manchester City is a positive moment for the Gunners.

Trossard himself has had an excellent pre-season, scoring three times and putting in good performances from the left wing, striker and left central midfield. 

While Trossard may not start too often in the league, he will be a vital player for Arsenal this season with his capacity to change games as he showed against City.

Despite the majority of his minutes in pre-season coming in midfield, Kai Havertz started up top for the Gunners and had the best chances of the game. 

And while he didn’t score, it was an encouraging game for the German international whose physicality and link-up play was a welcome outlet for Arsenal when playing out against City’s press and relieving pressure.

Jurrien Timber started at left-back for the recovering Oleksandr Zinchenko and put in an accomplished display, looking comfortable on the ball and solid in defence. 

The Dutchman's ability to turn away from pressure like Zinchenko makes him a good back-up to the Ukrainian and it’s likely he could start the season there against Nottingham Forrest.

Declan Rice played last season’s Granit Xhaka role on the left of midfield, but Arsenal’s new star signing is down on fitness after struggling with a calf strain in pre-season, and it showed at times. But there were plenty of positive moments, especially off the ball.

Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Saturday at 12.30pm, looking to go one position further this year and end their 20-year wait for a league title.