Manchester United & Newcastle, Arsenal Win Community Shield, James Horncastle On Roma

Happy Monday. Arsenal defeated a half-asleep and still-on-vacation Manchester City in the Charity Community Shield at Wembley yesterday. The match provided some decent moments for the neutral (Barney Rooney filed this report) and we can now say that the curtain has been raised and we're ready for the real deal this weekend. Before we move on, however, here are Three Points, Five Talking Points, and Jonathan Wilson's report. Oh, and just how did all the new signings get on?

Michael Cox is a tactical dude. He likes to write about tactics. Today, he's writing about Manchester United and Van Gaal's philosophy. And what that means. Tactically speaking, of course.

Totti & Batigol celebrate as Thuram looks on...

They'll be playing Il Calcio in Italy before too long. Serie A gets going next month and James Horncastle reckons Roma have what it takes to win their first Scudetto since 2001. Ahhhh, that was a squad we loved. Totti in his prime, Walter Samuel and Cafú anchoring the defense, Batistuta and Montella up front. Hidetoshi Nakata. Abel Babo! What a side. Sniff...sniff. Good memories.

The Mill. Plus One. Plus Plus One.

Sticking with transfers, here are the Top 10 Biggest Risks of transfers that have gone through already.

In Major League Soccer, Landon Donovan's farewell tour has officially begun. Here are Five Things from the weekend's domestic action.

We've got two more Premier League previews today. They feature two big clubs with a lot to prove and under a lot of pressure.

Newcastle United

Manchester United

Question of the Day: How do Real Madrid keep £500m of talent happy?

Jamie Redknapp tips Chelsea for the title. There. Now you know. Do you care? If so, click here for 'Lil Redknapp's team-by-team season preview.

We'll conclude the beginning of the week with this: Ten hidden gems that are ready to sparkle in the Premier League this season. Bam!

Onward!!

-SSN