Arsenal opened the new season by defeating Manchester City 3-0 in Sunday’s Community Shield, handing Mikel Arteta an early trophy and giving new City manager Enzo Maresca a loss in his first match in charge at the campaign’s traditional curtain-raiser.
The result was Arsenal’s fourth Community Shield victory against City and preserved their perfect record in the fixture. At the Principality Stadium, Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scored in a commanding display.
“We showed our quality today and proved that we are ready,” Odegaard told TNT Sports.
“We also made it clear that we are serious and want to repeat this. There are more trophies available, and that is what we are aiming for.”
Arsenal had offered little reassurance during a pre-season campaign that prompted some concern, but they began this match at full speed. Just 23 seconds had passed when they delivered a forceful response to any doubts about their preparation.
Myles Lewis-Skelly operated in midfield and released an outstanding pass into the path of left-back Calafiori. The Italian kept his composure to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma and give Arsenal an ideal start against the FA Cup holders.
That goal, the earliest in the opening minute of this fixture for 58 years, established the pattern for a one-sided performance. Arsenal appeared stronger, quicker, more assured and dangerous in attack.
City did not create a genuine chance until the 20th minute, when Phil Foden tried to bend a long-range effort into the corner. David Raya responded with a diving save to his right, and the Arsenal goalkeeper later kept out an attempt from Erling Haaland.
Arsenal added a second when Odegaard sent a cross towards the far post. New arrival Christos Tzolis headed it back into the danger area, allowing Havertz to nod the ball towards goal, with Donnarumma inadvertently carrying it over the line.
Only three minutes after half-time, Arsenal were 3-0 ahead. Tzolis claimed another assist by creating the opening for Odegaard, whose controlled first touch took him beyond Josko Gvardiol before he calmly finished past a Donnarumma caught moving the wrong way.
Maresca’s team produced only occasional signs of their attacking ability, while Raya remained composed to complete the clean sheet. Haaland, who won last season’s Golden Boot after scoring 27 goals, was largely contained and replaced before the 60-minute mark.
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence on Friday against Coventry City, and Odegaard said they intended to approach the campaign with an attacking mindset.
“We will go after it. We want to win it again. It was an incredible achievement and a wonderful experience for everyone,” he said.
“Once you have experienced how good it feels, you want that feeling again. There are also some other trophies we want to claim,” Odegaard added, pointing to the Champions League trophy Arsenal lost in the final to Paris St Germain.
“At this club, the ambition is to win everything. But naturally, that is a major one.”
