HE’S THE KING OF WEMBLEY
Auba dazzles again on the big stage as he dumps champs
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired Arsenal to their second Wembley triumph of the month as they overcame Liverpool on penalties to lift the Community Shield.
August started with the Gabon forward inspiring the Gunners to a record 14th FA Cup win and ended with him wrapping up the shoot- out win for Mikel Arteta’s men in the 2020- 21 season curtain-raiser.
Rhian Brewster missed the only spot-kick as the Gunners won on an afternoon that only underlined the need to get their skipper’s new deal over the line.
Aubameyang scored twice at Wembley in the Cup semi-final win over Manchester City then repeated the trick in the showpiece victory over Chelsea.
Wembley clearly brings out the best in him and he gave Arteta’s men the lead yesterday, celebrating with the ‘ Wakanda forever’ salute in tribute to Chadwick Boseman following the death of the Black Panther actor.
His goal was cancelled out by Takumi Minamino for Liverpool with the Gunners eventual ly heading home with the shield.
When asked about a new contract for Aubameyang, boss Arteta said: “We are close. Big games, big moments, big players. He has responded really well to that kind of pressure.
“He was magnificent in the FA Cup Final and it’s the same today.
“I’m so happy. I knew the challenge we were facing. Thank you to the players for the effort and the performance.”
Captain Aubameyang sounded keen on a new deal. He said: “We’re going to see in the next few days.
“Today we take the trophy, that’s it. We are improving. There is still work to do but I’m really happy and it’s an exciting time to be an Arsenal player.”
James Mi lner screamed in frustration after heading over a Neco Williams’ cross as Liverpool started brightly.
And their irritation increased after being hurt by a moment of quality in the 12th minute.
Bukayo Saka switched the ball to Aubameyang on the left, with the Arsenal star cutting in and curling a superb right-footed strike past Alisson Becker.
The Liverpool keeper had to be alert to prevent the Gunners doubling their lead soon after.
Eddie Nketiah dispossessed Joe Gomez and started a break that ended with the striker getting away a first-time shot from Saka’s cross that Alisson did well to push wide.
Arteta’s side had to dig deep during the back end of the first half, with Liverpool peppering the box with crosses.
Just after the break Roberto Firmino f ired just wide then Emiliano Martinez had to block a Sadio Mane shot.
But they couldn’t keep the EPL champions out.
Minamino’s f l icked pass to Mohamed Salah bounced back kindly for the Japanese star to slot home from close range for his first Reds goal.
But it was Arsenal who had the composure in the shoot-out.
Anfield gaffer Jurgen K lopp sa i d : “We deserved the equaliser and could have scored more but we didn’t do that. We didn’t show enough in the end.”