Arsenal lifted the first silverware of the new season after beating treble winners Manchester City on penalties to take home the Community Shield.
Leandro Trossard’s deflected strike deep into stoppage time earned a 1-1 draw after Cole Palmer had put City in front.
Here, the PA news agency looks at what we learned from the Wembley clash on the eve of the new campaign.
The winner doesn’t take it allWhile Arsenal will no doubt celebrate their success, the last three Community Shield winners have gone on to end the subsequent season empty-handed.
City have now lost this fixture for the past three years – beaten by Leicester and Liverpool before this loss to Arsenal.
However, Pep Guardiola’s men have gone on to win two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and Champions League – not a bad ‘consolation’ prize.
Unlucky 13 for HaalandCity striker Erling Haaland managed just 13 touches before making way for goalscorer Palmer with 64 minutes gone.
The Norway international had a similar struggle in this fixture against Liverpool last season, having just signed for Guardiola’s side.
He did, however, go on to score 52 goals to fire City to the treble, so maybe he just needs to get warmed up.
On the cardsAfter refereeing guidelines changed ahead of the new campaign, Thomas Partey and Julian Alvarez were both cautioned for kicking the ball away.
Arsenal boss Arteta also fell foul of the law changes as, after gesticulating that Rodri should have been shown a yellow card for a foul, the Spaniard instead found his own name in referee Stuart Atwell’s book.
The alterations could see a few more cards shown in the opening weeks of the season as players – and managers – adjust.
Kai leads the lineArsenal go into the season without Gabriel Jesus after the striker underwent minor knee surgery last week.
Eddie Nketiah filled the void and scored in the Emirates Cup friendly against Monaco last week, insisting afterwards he could step up as he did during Jesus’ three-month absence last season.
However, summer signing Kai Havertz was preferred to Nketiah at Wembley and the former Chelsea man showed why, linking up well and holding up play in a manner akin to Jesus, although he had at least one decent chance to put the Gunners ahead in the first half.
Times are changingAnother change being introduced this year is the increase in time added for stoppages at the end of both halves.
It was commonplace at the World Cup in Qatar and is also being seen at the Women’s World Cup, with the extra minutes only increasing the chance of even more drama.
Trossard’s leveller came in the 101st minute at Wembley, a nasty clash of heads between Partey and Kyle Walker extending the eight minutes that had initially been signalled, and it is unlikely to be the last time we see late heroics this season.
Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper confirmed Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) while playing for Ghana against Angola during the international break.
Fatawu has featured in all 11 of Leicester's Premier League matches so far this season and has registered two assists.
No Leicester player has attempted (61) or completed (29) more dribbles than him, while his 30 crosses is also a team-high in the top-flight this season.
"It's not good, it's a serious injury," said Cooper ahead of their match against Chelsea on Saturday.
"It's a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.
"Albeit, it can be quite common in sport, and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury.
"For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.
"He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.
"It's only a pause, and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which, with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feels 'surreal', says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feel surreal, says Slegers
Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.
The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.
What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.
Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.
Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.
"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.
"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.
"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.
"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."
Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.
They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.
"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.
"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.
"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."
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