Arsenal opened their season in dominant fashion, crushing Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield on Sunday at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales — the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season. Goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and captain Martin Ødegaard gave Mikel Arteta's side a comprehensive victory, while condemning new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca to a chastening debut in charge.
Arsenal wasted no time establishing their authority, taking the lead after just 23 seconds — the first goal scored in the opening minute of the fixture in 58 years. Myles Lewis-Skelly, deployed in midfield, threaded a precise pass to left back Calafiori, who finished calmly past Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The early strike set the tone for a commanding performance and Arsenal doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark when Havertz headed home after Ødegaard floated a cross to the far post, with Donnarumma spilling the ball over the line. Three minutes after the restart, Ødegaard completed the rout with a composed finish, making it the reigning Premier League champions' fourth consecutive victory over City in this fixture.
For Manchester City, the defeat represented a turbulent beginning to life after Pep Guardiola, who departed the club following a trophy-laden tenure. Maresca, appointed as his successor, saw his side offer only intermittent attacking threat. Star striker Erling Haaland — last season's Premier League Golden Boot winner with 27 goals — was kept largely quiet by Arsenal's defence and was withdrawn before the hour mark, with goalkeeper David Raya producing assured saves to preserve a clean sheet.
Speaking after the match, Ødegaard was clear about Arsenal's ambitions for the season ahead. "We showed our level today, we showed that we're ready," the Norwegian midfielder said. "There's more trophies to go for and that's the aim." He also pointedly referenced the Champions League, which slipped away from the club in a final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, suggesting that remaining unfinished business will drive the squad through the coming campaign.
The result carries real significance as both clubs prepare for the Premier League season, which begins next week. Arsenal host promoted Coventry City in their opening fixture, while Manchester City face AFC Bournemouth. After some unconvincing pre-season performances that had raised questions about their readiness, Sunday's display offered an emphatic answer from Arteta's squad — one that will put rivals on notice from the very first week of competition.