Arsenal won the Community Shield thanks to the new penalty shootout rule?

The Community Shield match on August 6 was the first time the new penalty shootout rule was applied in the UK.

After 90 minutes of a 1-1 draw, Chelsea and Arsenal had to take penalties. Instead of each side taking turns like before, this time the two teams took their kicks according to the new "ABBA" rule.

Gary Cahill took the first shot, then two Arsenal players Theo Walcott and Nacho Monreal took the free kicks. Then two Chelsea players took the kicks in succession: Thibaut Courtois and Alvaro Morata.

Fans were left baffled by the new penalty rule, with many finding it annoying. "This ABBA penalty rule is horrible. There's no need to make it universal," tweeted James Robinson. Another commented: "Why do the rules of football keep changing?"

Arsenal and Chelsea players have not commented on the change to the penalty shootout rules. Both teams were briefed on how the game will be played before the match.

The ABBA penalty kick rule has just been tested in 2017 by FIFA and UEFA. This year's youth tournaments such as the European U17 and U20 World Cups have applied the new kick rule. The ABBA rule is similar to the way tennis tie-breaks are played.

Two consecutive missed kicks by Courtois and Morata caused Chelsea to lose. Photo: Reuters.

The reason why football operators are considering changing the rule is to create fairness in penalty shootouts. According to statistics, 60% of the time the team that kicks first usually wins. "The team that kicks later always has more mental pressure," UEFA said. With the new rule, teams will have the opportunity to kick first and later.

Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-1 in a penalty shootout in the Community Shield. Courtois and Morata were the only Chelsea players to miss, while all four Arsenal players converted. This was the third time in the last five seasons and the 15th time in history that Arsenal have won the Community Shield.

According to VNE