Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expressed his delight after his side edged Liverpool on penalties to claim the Community Shield honors.
Mikel Arteta was pleased with his side’s mentality as they won the Community Shield for the 16th time in the club’s history.
The Gunners were victorious against a full strength Liverpool side. It might only be a curtain-raiser for the new season but it didn’t stop the celebrations from the North London side.
A stunning strike from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the first half was cancelled out by Minamino in the second half. Arsenal went on to win it in penalties.
Mikel Arteta was unable to call on his preferred XI. A number of the Gunners stars were still on holiday or unable to play. Regardless, he was pleased with what he saw from his players on the pitch.
“We had some challenges and some players who only had one training session for a final after the holidays, but I kept pushing them, I kept demanding and they kept responding,” he told Arsenal Digital.
“They are willing to do more and I’m really happy with how they competed in the game. They showed course to play against this team with no fear. They really went for it and it’s nice to win it on penalties too.”
“There are never any excuses. We had to compete in this game and we came here in these circumstances, but the players were willing to put their bodies on the line and to play against this opponent with the way that we did today. Credit to the boys.”
“We had them for three or four days and now they will go back again,” Arteta added.
“It’s a very strange mini pre-season and because it’s an international week we will do what we can. Whoever we have available [for Fulham] we will get them in the best possible condition.”
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Mikel Arteta
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
