The 2023 Community Shield has seen a remarkable win for Arsenal, and manager Mikel Arteta couldn’t hide his joy.

Not only did the team come back from the brink of defeat to win a penalty shootout, but they did so in front of a packed Wembley Stadium, a moment Arteta cherished, as he shared the euphoria with family, friends, and the Arsenal faithful.

• Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, celebrates a thrilling victory after winning the 2023 Community Shield in front of a jubilant crowd at Wembley.
• A last-minute goal by Leandro Trossard in stoppage time sets up a triumphant penalty shootout, reflecting Arsenal’s tenacity.
• Despite the hardships and intense match against City, Arteta praises his team’s resilience and the positive energy surrounding the club.

Mikel Arteta’s joy in sharing victory with Gooners

Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, has expressed elation at lifting the 2023 Community Shield trophy in front of Arsenal fans. He described the moment as the pinnacle of his career so far, surpassing even his previous two Wembley victories.

With a dramatic turn of events, Leandro Trossard scored a last-minute goal to deny a seemingly impending City victory after Cole Palmer had put them ahead. This resilient spirit of the team extended the match into a penalty shootout, which saw Arsenal triumph with a decisive 4-1 victory.

Arteta expressed delight at sharing the win with friends, family, and the multitude of Arsenal supporters that filled the national stadium. He emphasised the connection between the players and the fans, saying, “just seeing the happiness in their faces, how they were interacting and connecting with the players is just great.”

Unwavering spirit and preparation – Key to victory

Despite falling behind initially and facing a number of missed opportunities, Arteta lauded his team for their determination to persevere against arguably the best team in Europe.

His post-match statement reflected his immense satisfaction with the team’s performance and resilience, “It doesn’t get any better than winning at Wembley in front of your fans and playing the best team in the world.”

Arteta highlighted the significant role the substitute players had on the outcome, as well as the importance of the penalty shootouts the team had practiced during their US tour and at the Emirates Cup. The prior experience played a key role in overcoming the improbable odds to lift the trophy, reinforcing the notion that careful planning and preparation can pay off.

Moreover, Arteta stressed the psychological resilience of his team in dealing with high-pressure moments, remarking, “psychologically, it was really difficult because they are so used to playing the clock down, and managing those moments.”

Maintaining the momentum

Arteta went on to describe the euphoric mood within the club, reflecting on the positive energy and spirit that has been built.

He stated, “the energy is great, the positivity around the place, you feel the happiness around everybody at the club.”

While the triumph is certainly cause for celebration, Arteta quickly brought the focus back to the challenges ahead.

The Arsenal boss emphasised the need to keep working and maintain momentum, saying, “Let’s enjoy the day and then tomorrow, let’s go back to work because on Saturday, it will be a very different, but very tough match as well.”