5 standout players in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory

2. Jurrien Timber

As soon as Timber was subbed off, we conceded down that left side (to be fair, Thomas Partey got spun by Phil Foden leading to the goal, but still).

It looks like Timber has been playing in this Arteta side for years. He fits in seamlessly, matching the technical talent and security of the best Arsenal players. He looks fearless and happy to take on opposition players and big risks.

It’s early stages but Timber for less than £40m is already looking like it might be the signing of the summer. Very solid defensively, comfortable on the ball and dangerous going forward, there is no limit to what this man can achieve in this Arsenal team.

3. William Saliba

William Saliba is a Rolls Royce defender.

I honestly think that the Frenchman may move into defensive midfield at some point in his career due to his skill set. He seems to dribble in slow motion and yet he either gets past his man or he wins a foul.

He also keeps getting better and better at using his body to defend. At one point in the first half, an Arsenal corner is cleared and Saliba lingers a bit on the ball and it looks like a City player is going to snatch it. Somehow, he manages to act as a wall between the player and the ball and he just shrugs off the challenge from the most improbable position.

In the game, it sometimes felt like he was the only one instructed to only defend, especially after the team went down a goal. Saliba is more than capable of doing that. He put in some delightful clearances and tackles, and Erling Haaland was kept quiet for the whole game.

Continued on the next slide…