Community Shield: Arsenal 'didn't feel any fear and showed courage' against Liverpool - Mikel Arteta

After a 1-1 draw, Arsenal defeated Liverpool 5-4 on penalties. Photo: Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has praised his Arsenal side for being fearless in their Community Shield win over Liverpool.

The Gunners were victorious in the traditional season curtain-raiser as they saw off the Premier League champions 5-4 in a penalty shootout.


The game finished 1-1 after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's fine early strike was cancelled out by Takumi Minamino's first Liverpool goal, but the Arsenal skipper then tucked home the decisive penalty after Rhian Brewster had missed.

"Two days ago we started to have players back in training and I didn't hear one excuse," he said.

"'Oh they had two weeks in Austria, better preparation'. None of that. When I was in the dressing room today I had the feeling they believed we could win.

"They didn't feel any fear. They wanted to really go for it and believed they could win another trophy. And they showed from the first minute their courage and their passion."

When you face the challenge with belief and courage, anything is possible. COYG Proud of everyone! pic.twitter.com/QPOZCj18di

— Mikel Arteta (@m8arteta) August 29, 2020

"I get more and more impressed with them every day," Arteta replied when asked about his young talent – with Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock  also all involved.

"They really want to play for this club. They know the names they are fighting against and they don't care.

"They want to be better than their team-mates and they really want chances. When they play like they did on Saturday it makes me really proud of them."