LONDON -- Nothing develops a winning mentality quite like winning itself. The Community Shield occupies a curious position in the calendar, sitting somewhere between a friendly and the competitive fare that follows a week later when the Premier League begins, but beating Manchester City in any circumstances can have a significant psychological effect on Arsenal in the campaign ahead.
After all, the Gunners had not beaten City in eight previous attempts, including three defeats last season on a journey that ended by surrendering an eight-point lead to lose the Premier League title.