Arsenal thrash Man City 3-0 to win Community Shield in statement start

Arsenal made an emphatic start to the new season by beating Manchester City 3-0 to win the 2026 Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The reigning Premier League champions needed only 24 seconds to take control, with Riccardo Calafiori opening the scoring before Kai Havertz doubled their advantage later in the first half.

Martin Odegaard then added Arsenal's third shortly after the restart to complete a convincing victory over one of their biggest domestic rivals.

For new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca, it was a difficult first competitive test.

Arsenal could hardly have asked for a better opening to the new campaign.

Calafiori struck after only 24 seconds, immediately putting City under pressure and giving the Gunners the perfect platform.

Mikel Arteta's side maintained their control as the first half developed, with Havertz adding the second before the half-hour mark.

That left City facing a significant deficit despite seeing plenty of the ball.

The problem for Maresca's side was turning that possession into meaningful opportunities, with Arsenal looking considerably more dangerous when attacking.

Any hopes of a City comeback were effectively ended shortly after half-time.

Odegaard scored Arsenal's third just three minutes after the restart, putting the Community Shield beyond Maresca's team.

City struggled to produce enough attacking threat in response and Arsenal comfortably protected their advantage.

The performance represented an impressive opening statement from the Premier League champions as they begin another campaign with major expectations.

For City, meanwhile, there is immediate work to do after an uninspiring attacking display in Maresca's first competitive game in charge.

Arsenal leave Cardiff with the first silverware of the season and an impressive early victory over one of their main Premier League rivals.

Attention will now turn to the start of the league campaign, where Arteta's side will look to carry this momentum into their title defence.

Maresca, meanwhile, has an immediate challenge at Manchester City after a performance that showed plenty of possession but nowhere near enough threat in the final third.