Mikel Arteta expressed his delight after Arsenal won their 16th Charity/Community Shield title on Saturday.
The Gunners beat Premier League champions, Liverpool, over the weekend, thanks to a penalty shootout in which the FA Cup winners scored five goals from five kicks.
Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke the deadlock in the 12th minute but the Reds responded in the 73rd through Takumi Minamino as the tie ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
However, after Arsenal came out as winners after the Reds' Rhian Brewster failed to convert his spot-kick.
Speaking to BT Sport Arteta said: "I'm so happy. I knew the challenge we were facing today. Thank you to the players for the effort and the performance.
"The courage of the team [was the most pleasing thing], how aggressive we were without the ball and to break the pressure of Liverpool. I knew in the second half we would suffer.
"This generates belief, to be able to compete against a team like this in a final makes me happy."
On Aubameyang's future at the club, the Spaniard said: "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 the same today."
Asked if a new contract is close? He replied: "We are close."
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