Videos Live Scores Podcasts Opinion Interviews Business of Sport Inside Story Football Cricket Tennis Formula One Golf NBA UFC UAE Racquet Sports Fitness

FA Community Shield: How Arsenal and Man City’s new stars fared

Martyn Thomas

20:13 10/08/2014

While Arsenal were busy humbling the Premier League champions, Manchester City, at Wembley there were a few new faces looking to make their mark on proceedings.

As the new Premier League season approaches, many football fans cast their eyes on the FA Community Shield today with an eager look at the new signings representing both sides.

Here, we asses how the new boys got on for their respective new clubs.

Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez (above)
An accomplished afternoon without really ever excelling. The Chilean showed glimpses of his undoubted quality, not least when he supplied a delightful ball late in the first half for Sanogo, who in turn played in Ramsey to score. Link-up play involving fellow newboy Debuchy down the right was bright, and hints at things to come.

Calum Chambers

The young defender is not a natural centre-half but the biggest compliment he could have been played is that he didn’t look out of place. He remains a work in progress, and got caught on several occasions — most notably by Toure and Dzeko — but on more than one had the pace to make up for his mistake. An encouraging day.

Mathieu Debuchy

Looked as though he had been playing in the Arsenal back four for years. Along with Kieran Gibbs on the opposite flank gave his side width going forward, yet was rarely caught out at the other end. Was caught under a Navas cross as Jovetic headed against the post early in the second half, but overall a reassuring start.

Manchester City

Willy Caballero

It would be a big surprise if the former Malaga keeper started the league opener against Newcastle next weekend following a shaky performance. Should not have been beaten by Cazorla for the first, while he was guilty of flapping at Giroud’s third. Did well to race from his goal and deny Sanchez at the end of the first half, though.

Fernando

The Brazilian’s first act was a foul on Wilshere on halfway and that set the tone for an afternoon of destruction and harrying. Showed little intent to get on the ball until Toure was withdrawn with 30 minutes to go. In that time he did hint at some vision and a willingness to get forward, but City fans will want to see more.

Bruno Zuculini

The young Argentine midfielder had a chastening start to life in English football as Giroud shrugged off his challenge before firing home from 20 yards, within 60 seconds of his arrival. Did not let that get to him though and was always looking to get forward from midfield.

More from european

ONE Fight Night 22: Turkey’s Hilal Amir has sights set on ONE Championship Gold

From Morocco to Abu Dhabi: Zakaria El Jamari’s incredible martial arts journey

French-Algerian Anissa Meksen gets chance to be first to claim new ONE Championship gold

Adrian Lee’s ONE Championship debut confirmed as he looks to further family legacy

NBA 3X ABU DHABI an unparalleled success with legends LaMarcus Aldridge and James Worthy in attendance

ONE Friday Fights 59: French-Algerian looks to maintain KO momentum in headliner

Most Popular