Arsenal rout Manchester City 3-0 to lift Community Shield
Why it matters: Arsenal opened its title defense with a one-sided win as Enzo Maresca’s first competitive City match exposed early gaps.
Arsenal crushed Manchester City 3-0 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium to win the Community Shield and open the season with a statement victory. Riccardo Calafiori scored after 23 seconds, Kai Havertz headed in the second in the 23rd minute, and Martin Odegaard added a third three minutes after halftime.
The Premier League champions controlled the match against City, with BBC Sport reporting Arsenal finished with 2.19 expected goals to City’s 0.77. Myles Lewis-Skelly helped create the opener, while new signing Bruno Guimaraes impressed in midfield before being replaced at the break. The defeat was the first meaningful game for City manager Enzo Maresca after replacing Pep Guardiola.