Arsenal star Declan Rice delivers verdict after starring in Man City Community Shield win

Arsenal Declan Rice Man City

Arsenal star Declan Rice played a key role in Man City Community Shield win

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 06/08/2023

- 19:07

Updated: 06/08/2023

- 19:12

The north London giants have started the season in style

Arsenal star Declan Rice has spoken out after his side beat Manchester City to win the Community Shield on Sunday.

Cole Palmer's goal looked to have secured another trophy for Pep Guardiola's treble winners.


But Leandro Trossard then struck in the 101st minute to force penalties.

City were unable to reign supreme in the shootout, with misses from Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri costing them before Fabio Vieira scored the winning spot-kick.

Arsenal Man City Community Shield

Arsenal players celebrate after beating Man City to win Community Shield

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Rice made his debut in the contest, with the midfielder making his first appearance for Arsenal since his huge £105million move from West Ham.

And the 24-year-old was delighted at full time, telling ITV: "I am buzzing, this is what I visioned when I joined.

"City gave us what we expected, but I am buzzing – so happy. You have to have the patience against them, you have to have mini games within the game against them like the manager said to us before.

"To win today, my first for the club.

"I feel I've grown a lot in the last three weeks. There's a lot of information to take in of what the manager wants. I'm eager to learn and keep improving.

"I'm sure we can achieve anything this season - we just need to remain focused."

Aaron Ramsdale also opened up, with the Arsenal star revealing how they'd prepared for the match against the reigning champions of England and Europe.

"We worked hard on it. We've been working hard for two years," he said.

"We haven't had luck which was probably needed in previous seasons. We've stuck at it. It's worked today."

On what this means for the season, he added: "I'm not sure.

"City are a bit behind their pre-season.

"For us, it's a statement. It's a marker to know we can go and beat Man City in a big game when it matters.

"I'm not sure what it'll be like this season. But that mental block is gone. We're ready to push on now."

While it was joy for Arsenal, it was pain for City.

And Palmer admitted he was 'gutted' to have seen his side squander their lead in the dying seconds of the match.

"Very close. Gutted to concede in the last minutes," he said.

"We have to pick ourselves up and go again.

"When I got the ball Pep told me to be myself. I cut in and saw the far corner. Thankfully it went in.

"We'll have to see what the plan is for next season. Hopefully play as many games as possible. I feel fresh from England, the [Euro U21s] final wasn't that long ago.

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Arsenal won on penalties as Man CIty were beaten in the Community Shield

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"Hopefully we can win the Treble again but it will be a difficult ask. The lads are sharp in training."

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