Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger gave the impression of a man who cannot wait for the new season to begin after praising his side following their 3-0 demolition of Premier League champions Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.
“It was a complete performance in the first half, we defended well and kept the spirit and organisation in the second half and the win today provides a very positive platform to prepare from,” Wenger told reporters.
“Now we have to start well against Crystal Palace at home in the league (Saturday 1630 GMT) and that won’t be easy, that’s a London derby and it will be a different type of game.”
The Community Shield is not the most important trophy in English football but securing it 85 days after winning the FA Cup, which ended a nine-year trophy drought, brought a smile to Wenger’s face.
“I’d like to win a trophy every week,” he beamed. “But it was very important to win today.
“You not only want to win the game and take the trophy but you want a good performance and we produced quality for long spells today.”
He also singled out 19-year-old defender Calum Chambers for special praise, saying that the teenager he has just signed from Southampton gave “an outstanding performance” and would challenge Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny for a central defensive place following the sale of Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona.
“For a 19-year-old who does not have a long history in that position, he was outstanding. He can challenge both centre backs, play at right back or in midfield. Even if Thomas did not leave I would have bought him anyway.”
Source: Supersport
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