Arsenal benefits from new law changes in Community Shield triumph

• Arsenal lifted the 2023 FA Community Shield defeating Manchester City at Wembley
• The Gunners saw the new rule changes by FA take into effect in the match
• Mikel Arteta became witnessed firsthand the benefits and the downside of the new rule changes

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta found himself at the crossroads of change, experiencing both the downside and upside of the new rule changes as Arsenal emerged victorious in the 2023 FA Community Shield, prevailing 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Arteta, at the helm of the Gunners, became the first casualty of the touchline behavior crackdown as referee Stuart Attwell issued him a yellow card for his animated protests over a decision. This newly enforced clampdown on managerial behavior on the sidelines reflects an effort to bring discipline to the technical area.

Referee Stuart Attwell booked Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for managerial misbehavior during the 2023 FA Community Shield triumph against Manchester City. | PHOTO: Mirror |

However, the fiery Spanish manager found reason to celebrate thanks to another novel alteration in the laws of the game. The new provisions aimed at curtailing time-wasting and maximizing ball-in-play moments led to extended periods of stoppage time. This, in turn, enabled Arsenal to level the score at 101 minutes, with Leandro Trossard’s shot deflecting off Manuel Akanji to secure the 1-1 draw.

Arteta expressed his contentment with this development, highlighting that teams will now have to reconsider their approach due to the potential for matches extending well beyond the traditional 90 minutes. “We have to prepare to play 100 minutes. It is going to happen every single week,” he asserted, acknowledging the strategic implications of this alteration.

READ: How Arsenal thumbed Manchester City in the Community Shield

In addressing his own yellow card, Arteta acknowledged the challenges of altering his managerial demeanor in such a short span, while emphasizing his commitment to the team’s performance. “I cannot change my behavior in three days, and I can’t say tomorrow that we play with no offsides and what is the linesman doing? I try my best,” he remarked, maintaining his focus on the game’s core aspects.

Pep Guardiola, the accomplished manager of Manchester City, shared his thoughts on the extended periods of play. He believed that the amount of added time, even before the eight minutes stretched to 13 due to a clash of heads between Kyle Walker and Thomas Partey, was excessive. Guardiola suggested that it might become commonplace for matches to reach the 100-minute mark, reflecting the potential for these changes to significantly alter the flow and duration of games.

In terms of on-field action, young talent Cole Palmer, substituting the relatively subdued Erling Haaland, seemed to have secured the victory for Manchester City with a splendid curling shot during regular time. Nonetheless, Arsenal’s fortunes shifted dramatically when Leandro Trossard’s shot, albeit deflected off Akanji, found its way into the net, earning them the equalizer and pushing the game into a penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Arsenal demonstrated steely resolve by converting all four of their penalties, while Kevin De Bruyne’s shot met the crossbar and Rodri’s attempt lacked power, allowing Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale to make a comfortable save. Fabio Vieira’s successful penalty secured Arsenal’s 4-1 shootout triumph, securing their grasp on the Community Shield and remedying some of the disappointment from the previous season’s title loss to City.

READ: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hints at more summer signings

The victory at Wembley carried substantial significance for Arteta and his team, reflecting their determination to succeed and their capacity to compete against formidable opposition. Arteta’s words after the victory underlined the importance of winning silverware for the club’s legacy. “The reason why we are here is to win trophies for this club and make it successful,” he proclaimed, capturing the essence of their aspirations.

While City lost the previous year’s Community Shield to Liverpool, their persistent pursuit of excellence remains steadfast. Guardiola’s comments underscored the team’s commitment to victory, regardless of outcomes. “We came here to win it. We were so close, but winning or losing, I know the position of the team,” he noted, emphasizing that the team’s stance remains unchanged, regardless of the results.

In essence, the Community Shield clash served as a dynamic platform to showcase the impact of recent rule changes on the sport. Arteta and Guardiola stood as testaments to the transformative nature of these alterations, experiencing their consequences firsthand. The competition, characterized by tactical nuances and dramatic shifts, offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of football, setting the stage for a season where the game’s rules themselves become part of the narrative.