Some may argue that the Community Shield is just a glorified pre-season friendly, but if Mikel Arteta and Arsenal's celebrations were anything to go by, then the Gunners certainly feel as if beating Manchester City on Sunday has sent a message to the treble winners ahead of the new campaign.
The Gunners won out 4-1 on penalties following a hotly-contested 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, allowing Arteta and his players to lift some silverware ahead of the new season after failing so dramatically to do so in the final weeks of the last.
They would have lost out to City here too, if not for Leandro Trossard's stoppage-time effort that deflected in off Manuel Akanji. The Belgian's strike cancelled out fellow substitute Cole Palmer's fine opening goal, as City looked on course to win the annual curtain-raiser for the first time since 2019.
Instead, they could only watch on as Fabio Vieira converted the winning spot-kick as Arsenal scored all their penalties while Kevin De Bruyne hit the crossbar and Aaron Ramsdale saved from Rodri to ensure victory in the capital for the team from north London.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Wembley Stadium...