Arsenal thrash Man City 3-0 to claim Community Shield (Photos)

Arsenal began the 2026-27 campaign in emphatic fashion as they swept aside Manchester City 3-0 to lift the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Mikel Arteta’s side made the perfect start, taking the lead after just 23 seconds through Riccardo Calafiori.

Myles Lewis-Skelly produced an excellent pass to split the City defence, allowing Calafiori to race into the penalty area before calmly slotting the ball beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Manchester City, playing their first competitive match under new manager Enzo Maresca following Pep Guardiola’s departure, struggled to turn possession into meaningful chances.

Phil Foden tested David Raya with a low drive, while Erling Haaland also came close, but Arsenal’s defence remained composed.

Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 28th minute.

Martin Odegaard delivered a cross towards the far post, where new signing Christos Tzolis rose to head the ball back across goal.

Kai Havertz reacted quickest, heading past Donnarumma to make it 2-0.

City had opportunities to reduce the deficit before half-time, with Haaland forcing a save from Raya and Jeremy Doku seeing an effort blocked.

Arsenal, however, remained the more dangerous side and went into the interval with a deserved two-goal advantage.

The Gunners needed only three minutes of the second half to effectively settle the contest.

Tzolis collected possession on the left before finding Odegaard, who calmly evaded Josko Gvardiol and Donnarumma before rolling the ball into an unguarded net.

It was the Arsenal captain’s first goal for the club since December.

Maresca responded with a series of substitutions, including Jack Grealish, Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush, but City could not find a route back into the game.

Raya produced another excellent save to deny Semenyo, while Arsenal continued to threaten on the counter.

The result gave Arsenal their first silverware of the new season and another statement victory over one of their principal rivals.

The Gunners’ dominance was reflected in the statistics, with Arsenal recording 2.19 expected goals to City's 0.77.

For City, the defeat provides Maresca with plenty to address before their Premier League campaign begins.

Arsenal, meanwhile, could hardly have asked for a stronger opening statement as they prepare to defend their top-flight title.

The 3-0 scoreline also echoed Arsenal’s memorable Community Shield victory over City in 2014.

Photos