Morning all.
It’s Cup Final day again.
So how did this oddly named season opener come about?
It began as the Sheriff of London Charity Shield in 1898, with a game between professionals and amateurs, but it became the FA Charity Shield in 1908 when Football League champions Manchester United played Southern League winners Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge.
The ‘charity’ element of the name was due to a percentage of gate receipts being donated to good causes. It was known as the Charity Shield until 2002, when it was rebranded as the Community Shield by the English Football Association in order to cover a wider scope of beneficiaries. Charities and good causes continue to benefit from the game, with the FA also using it as a vehicle to boost grassroots football.
No, I didn’t know that either but thanks to the Internet, I do now.
Manchester Utd have won the Community Shield more than any other club with 21 trophies to prove their success. Both Arsenal and Liverpool are level in second place with 15 trophies each. Yep, there’s another reason to win and spookily enough, we’ve both played in this final on 23 previous occasions.
It’s been a few years since Arsenal have been involved in the Community Shield. Three to be precise and that last one was against Chelsea. Funny enough, it was Chelsea we faced after beating them in the FA Cup in May of the 2016/17 season. That FA Cup and the Community Shield Cup were the last trophies Arsene Wenger won as manager. Chelsea were our opposition in this season’s FA Cup also but just like in 2017, Arsenal were too good on the day. Today though, it’s Liverpool we face in the battle for a piece of silverware.
It’s hard to believe that this will be the first time since 1989 that Arsenal and Liverpool have come up against each other in the final. That’s because Liverpool haven’t won the FA Cup since 2006 and neither club had won the Premier League. Until last season when Liverpool won Premiership. Thoroughly deserved I hasten to add.The last time the two sides met at Wembley, Arsenal lost 1-0.
Both clubs have players missing today through injury. Liverpool are without Mateo, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain and both Alexander-Arnold and Wilson doubts.
Arsenal four out injured. Mari, Martinelli, Mustafi and Chambers.
Over the last few days, Mikel Arteta has added a few new names to his coaching team. Carlos Cuesta, who was previously at Juventus, Andreas Georgson comes in from Brentford and Miguel Molina who was previously with Atletico Madrid. Player wise, it’s just Willian whose been snapped up for the first team squad.
Who’ll we see in Arsenal colours this afternoon is anyone’s guess but I fully expect both sides to take this fixture seriously regardless of it being considered a friendly. It’s not. There’s a trophy to be won, and just like all Arsenal fans, I want us to be winning it. Just like any match against Liverpool.
No doubt we’re the underdogs today but that matters not, as Chelsea found out just four weeks ago.
Transfer gossip:
A few of the newspapers and headlines on NewsNow suggest Emi Martinez could be on his way out of Arsenal. A great shame if true. Personally, I think he’s the better of our two keepers but the suggestion is that like AMN, he wants first team football on a regular basis. The Mirror suggests Brentford goalkeeper David Raya is being lined up to replace Martinez. Call me an old cynic but I reckon this particular rumour has come about purely because Arsenal have nicked two coaches from Brentford.
Enjoy the game guys, I’m looking forward to seeing how Saliba handles a pacy Liverpool attack and Willian causing their back line all sorts of problems.
See you in the comments guys.
Its a friendly simply as that !! Means nothing !! Sorry for bursting your bubble !!
Morning all and thanks Rico.
Just to dispell the myth that our friend Wavy put on the last post, you can win the Community shield and win the league!…………………it has been done 7 times in the EPL era, Chavs twice and ManU five times, so relax and want us to win this “friendly”, then the league! 😆
I don’t agree with you that Martinez is better than Leno..
It is your opinion anyway..so i respect that.
And i love your write up ..
Morning all.
Thanks Lc. I shall have to have a rethink!
Sadly, I’ve reached the conclusion that if we win the CShield we won’t be winning the EPL in 2021! Just call it old fashioned intuition!
Still it would be great to win a bit of silverware early in the season. Always good to start on the front foot and be full of optimism for whatever is to come down the line!
Hi Rico and all The way I look at friendly / community shield matches are just a way to find out how ready any new , injured or young players are or try old player in a new position. Win or loose does not matter just use it to iron out any issues before the season starts.
Good morning Rico and all.
Another Wembley visit for The Glorious Gunners a reminder, to me at least, of a certain day in 1971. 🏆
The first match of the new season will kick off at 12.30 on Saturday 12th September and will feature….Fulham and Arsenal live on BT Sport.
No incoming transfers, Willian apart, announced yet but three additions to the coaching staff have been confirmed. More chiefs to oversee less Indians, if that’s not too politically incorrect for the “woke” generation. 😉
Oh and I’m still using full stops.
Morning Kev, Cicero, Geoff and all. Thought I was going to miss the match later as no internet/Sky/Bt at the in-laws. A big phew, I’m home.. lol
Hahaha Wavy, I have the same intuition!…………were we seperated at berth? 😆
“…neither club had won the Premier League”? Are you serious!?
Arseweb, if you read the post again, you’ll see it says ‘since 2006’.
Morning campers, morning Rico.
Arsenal to win after penalty shoot out.
Same as their last visit then! I can live with that.
Lc, do we come from the same dock? ( berth/birth?)
I have had a really good look around my body and I can find no scars of separation , so probably not, but having a long lost brother has some appeal😂
Yes Carl, you have burst my bubble because I don’t think that Liverpool play friendlies, they take every opportunity to get a psychological advantage over opponents and their 2-1 defeat a month or so ago will be fresh in their memory. I’m not sure that Liverpool take the lead and lose that frequently, did it happen last season other than at the Emirates hmm I’m not sure?
When did Arsenal last have successive victories over Liverpool because that doesn’t happen very often does it?
So Carl I do disagree with you, it’s an important game imo and Arsenal need to perform and set out their standard for the rest of the season.
The trophy itself doesn’t matter but beating Liverpool really does matter.
Ask Rico?
Might be for you Carl, but not for me. When it comes to Liverpool, I want to beat them at tiddlywinks let alone football.
Pleased to hear that Rico, I should have my kitchen finished before kick off, save a few odds and sods, it’s been a saga indeed but the end is in sight… 🙄
Ditto Kev. This game is big imo. Like you say, not for the trophy but laying down our intentions. A mauling would do no one any good at all.
I’m still cheesed off we lost the league cup penalty shoot out against them.
That must a huge relief Kev. Self satisfying.
Friendly, what friendly? Love it, Rico!!
Against that bleedin’ lot, I want to win it all, even the coin toss haha!!
Haven’t a scooby who will play.. not seen many training photos lately. Is Stuart MacFarlane in quarantine?!! 😜
Hope it’s another Wembley win COYG
Happy Birthday to Ainsley -.let’s make it a memorable one!
Absolutely Sue.
You watching the Women’s final?
Holding to Newcastle on loan makes sense if it goes through. Quite like Steve Bruce.
No I’m not, Rico.. just binged a few episodes of Cobra Kai (Netflix), and am now getting the living room ready for 4.30… and by that I mean pulling the sofa out into position and putting away any breakables that I’ll be tempted to launch if I see those teeth 😂😂 Plus i need to walk Coco…
Is it any good?
Villa will bid 10m for Martinez??!! This window is crazy!!!
Absolutely agree Rico regarding that 5-5, how can you score 5 at Anfield and lose, what a joke.
That result really pissed me off.
Opps, a comment disappeared, ok, yes I agree Rico regarding that 5-5 draw, it really pissed me off that we scored 5 at Anfield and still lost….
I could still cry over that result, Kev… jammy gits…
I was quite glad to see that it’s rumoured that Arsenal want £25m for Maitland Niles and an impressive £20m for Martinez as it’s about time we played hardball for our players. I still think that they’re undervalued but I guess it’s down to Wuhan virus.
That could be a good deal for us Rico because Holding has been undervalued, but a good year at Newcastle and we either get back a good player just as Luiz leaves or increase his value.
The same applies to Chambers because let’s see how far we get if we bid £20m for Lewis Dunk or Conor Coady, I’m sure that Brighton and Wolves would just laugh at us, so what goes around eh?
Sue, it just winds me up, how many times have Liverpool got late goals against us at Anfield it does my brain in…
Chelsea should be 5/6 up Sue. Heck of a strike to go ahead though.
😂 re your living room.
I agree re Arsenal’s selling of players. Too many have gone for too little. Fabregas was a big money player and Wenger/Gazidis should have stood stronger against Barcelona in my opinion.
Martinez starts! No Willian…. COYG
Same with Willian I think.
No Lacazette in the squad.
He’s in quarantine Cicero, Pepe too.
I’m a little scared…. but I have to remember this – If we win today it’s a massive achievement and we’ve got our first major trophy of the season. If we lose it’s a glorified friendly and the most important thing is match fitness 😂😂
Excellent Sue. Very funny.
Boom!!!
Is that Auba’s first against the jackers?!
Black Panther celebration – nice tribute to Chadwick Boseman RIP
Robertson is being given too much time and space to get his crosses in.
Good first half from us I reckon. Eddie should feel disappointed not to be on the scoresheet.
Slowly getting used to our away shirts but looking at the coller on the Liverpool shirt it looks like they have them on backwards
Afternoon all. Great covering on many occasions. Expect ‘pool will get through by end, but we look much harder to break down than we have for years. And all the players rumoured to be leaving, Bellerin, Holding, Niles, Martinez are looking sound. But where’s my old tiger, Torreira?
Missed Elneny, another doing pretty good.
Elneny looks like the player we signed before we signed him. 😆
Nice first half holding playing well looking forward to second half if I can stay awake it’s 2:30am here
A good first half excellent goal by Aubameyang but what a delicious pass by Saka.
Luiz looks a bit shaky, a few loose passes and some dodgy clearances.
Elneny doing well too he uses to have cut out the silly fouls he was committing against MK Dons.
I don’t understand why the subs etc sit apart from each other in the stands when they’ve been in the changing rooms etc together.. Odd.
Uses??? That should be seems.
You know what you want to say rico😀
I do, or did Andrew. 😆
Seriously, we have to keep AMN…
Bollox!
We’ve gone to pot since the goal.
Tired legs.
Five superb penalties.
Great Arsenal afternoon…
Re Elneny rico!
He’s not playing bad rico😀
That’s high praise from you Andrew. 😜
🤬
Only said there’s others I’d like to keep more if we have to lose some that are worth a few bob😀. But think Torreira will be sold, Arteta hasn’t seen best of him.
Certainly hope Martinez stays, let’s see how he does with penalties!
Willock! Could have been 2-1.
AMN MOTM! Worth 30 million now
Nice Birthday present for Ainsley – MOTM
Even if we lose shootout, credible performance against league sinners.
haha, not bothering to correct that.
Think Elneny a useful sub midfielder. Would keep him.
Penalty shoot out.
C’mon Arsenal, C’mon Emi.
Cool from Luiz, I was worried when he stepped up. In fact all of them, terrific.
Anyone who saw both teams players expressions, can’t say that didn’t matter.
Woohoo!! The Jackers leave with nowt 😂 Love it
Nice win at least Auba shouldn’t drop this trophy
You can go to sleep happy, Geoff
Evening Rico and All
Micky has transformed every player.
Damn it, I’m not at work until Wednesday…. ripping it out of the scousers will be soooo sweet.. 😉
Really good all round. Some players are unrecognisable since Mikel’s arrival.
You can bet the Scousers are disappointed, especially when the trophy looks like a polished wheel rim!
Two on the trot against that lot, they must think we are their bogey team !
My Grandson 2 months old and two trophies!
Genius of Magic Mikel to keep playing the players he doesn`t want and winning trophies …………………will push their price up!
Evening Fred. Are you sure it’s Mikel Arteta and not Stan Kroenke who is behind the much improved Arsenal?
Really positive performance by all.
yessss!!!!
Arsenal!!!!!
Wheel rim 😂 that’s why they sloped off down the tunnel then, Le Coq, with faces like smacked arses!! Brilliant!!
Aww even Dani tweeted congratulations!!
Please hurry back, Dani 🙂
Do we need him now Sue, we have a reborn Elneny. Lol
Rico. Poor old Stan. 😃
Indeed Adam, poor chap won’t get any thanks for winning that one. Or for supporting the Arteta appointment.
Actually, poor is probably not a good word to use. 😆
Rumour has it Chavs could spend something like £250m in this window!…………………..wouldn`t it be nice if Kroenke could beat that with the £300+m he has made in lockdown !…………………..sorry, rumoured £300+M…………………………….. 😆
AMN been added to England squad !…………………………a few more £1`s on his transfer fee me thinks!
😆
Ceballos or Minogue ?…………..Sue!
🤣🤣🤣 I’ll leave that up to you to decide, Le Coq haha!!
😂 I’d say so, Rico…
I think Elneny will go Sue. At least if he does, he’ll do so after playing well and with a medal in his pocket.
The next couple of weeks might be busy for Arsenal.
Spuds have had a white kit for longer than since they won a title and it always looks a bit shit, we wear a white kit and make it look a bit classy!
That is one sight I thought I’d never see, Rico – Elneny in an Arsenal shirt with a trophy in his hands!! Fair play to him, he played well… today he’s the King of Egypt… sod Salah!!! 😄
Salah who Sue? Did he play today..?
🤣🤣🤣 nah, think he’s still in Austria 🤣🤣🤣
I wonder if a lot of our guys withdraw from international duty because of the quarantine rules if they apply to where they’re playing.
I didn’t even realise that Firmino was playing until the 50th minute.
Me neither. His name was mentioned when he changed positions after the Klopp subs came on. Until then he was kept very quiet.
And Salah also Rico, he was kept in his box only Mane caused us problems. In fact I thought we controlled the game until our legs went a bit around the 70th minute and before Arteta made those three substitutes, then we pushed them back again.
9.03pm re Salah Kev.
I agree re our left side, it’s looking really strong with AMN and Tierney. A good partnership born I think. Sane and Robertson had a bit too much freedom down our right but hopefully something will be done about that.
Morning all.
Imagine it, Ainsley Maitland Niles, man of the match in a Wembley showcase and then called up for England, I’ve I’d told you a year ago that 12 months later AMN would be called up for England you would have laughed and sad I was a mad toad. 😄
Hairising performance Rico I was
maybe wrong Well down the Syrup.
Kev…I was amazed on the penalty
shoot out that Salah was on the
pitch our left side was very
strong.
Kev Don’t forget what you said about
Auba as well.
For once, in fact twice, I actually agree with the pundits. AMN must stay at Arsenal and Emi Martinez must be given the number one shirt. Leno is a good ‘ keeper but Martinez is as good, if not better, and is younger.
As penalty shoot outs go that was a superb performance. There wasn’t a hint of nerves by any of our boys, just cold eyed accuracy and deadly intent.
How good it was to watch Klopp’s wheeze of bringing on his penalty specialist for the last two minutes only to see him hit the top of the bar and thus give Auba the chance to score the winning penalty.
I wonder how the Scousers enjoyed the journey homej
Morning all.
On Leno/Martinez, we think people need to remember just how good Leno has been for us, over a decent period of time and when we were defending pathetically.
This is not a knock on Martinez at all as he’s superb, but suddenly, Leno is almost forgotten.
We have two superb keepers for the first time in a hell of a long time and we need to try and keep them both.
Hi Scott I’m happy with both keepers to it must be hard to pick between them Leno on his day is excellent but Martinez has worked his way up and deserves to be number one but I can see Martinez leave and you can’t blame,
Good morning all.
The club handyman is busy enlarging the trophy cabinet. Spuds have put their one up for sale on e bay, but they can’t find the keys. The only thing in it is a dead spider and a lot of wood worm. 😁
😂 Good one, Cicero!
MOTD (again!!) at 8.20! Yay! Could watch that assist/goal/penalties all day long!!
New post up now