Cardiff, 16 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper) Arsenal have won the Community Shield after a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester City at the Principality Stadium, giving Mikel Arteta’s side the first major domestic silverware of the new season. The Arsenal Community Shield success came through goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and captain Martin Ødegaard.
Arsenal made an extraordinary start, scoring inside the opening minute and never surrendering their advantage. City had opportunities to respond, but David Raya’s saves and Arsenal’s more clinical finishing proved decisive.
Arsenal strike inside opening minute against City
Arsenal were ahead after just 23 seconds.
Myles Lewis-Skelly helped create the opening for Calafiori, who finished from close range before Manchester City had been given any opportunity to settle into the contest.
City attempted to respond through Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, with Raya called into action as the FA Cup winners searched for an equaliser.
Instead, Arsenal struck again.
Ødegaard’s delivery eventually reached Havertz, who converted from six yards in the 28th minute to leave City facing a two-goal deficit before half-time.
Haaland was among those to threaten before the break, while Jérémy Doku also tested Arsenal’s defensive organisation. Neither could provide the finish City needed.
Ødegaard puts Community Shield beyond Manchester City
Arsenal quickly tightened their grip on the match after the interval.
Ødegaard scored three minutes into the second half, beating Gianluigi Donnarumma to establish a 3-0 advantage and leave City requiring an improbable comeback.
Manchester City continued to push forward rather than allowing the game to drift. Arsenal, however, defended their lead with greater control as the second half progressed.
Raya was required again, including during the closing stages, and Arsenal finished the afternoon with both the trophy and a clean sheet.
The Arsenal Community Shield victory also continued the club’s recent success in the fixture. Arsenal defeated Manchester City on penalties in the 2023 Community Shield and had previously beaten them 3-0 at Wembley in 2014.
Manchester City turn attention to Premier League opener
Manchester City acknowledged the defeat in their official match coverage, with the club’s focus now shifting quickly towards the Premier League.
The match represented the first competitive assignment of the new campaign and provided both managers with an opportunity to assess their squads before league football begins.
For Arsenal, lifting another trophy offers an immediate reward after returning for the new season. Arteta will nevertheless know that the Community Shield is only the starting point of a campaign in which expectations will again be high.
For City, the result provides an early test rather than a verdict on the season ahead. Their ability to respond once league competition begins will carry considerably greater importance.
Why Arsenal’s victory matters before the league season
The Community Shield does not carry the significance of the Premier League or FA Cup, but beating one of their principal domestic rivals 3-0 provides Arsenal with a strong competitive opening.
More encouraging for Arteta was the manner of the performance. Arsenal took their chances early, protected their advantage and resisted City’s attempts to force their way back into the match.
The Arsenal Community Shield win therefore gives the Gunners silverware and early momentum before the far more demanding business of the Premier League begins.
What happens next?
Both clubs will now return their attention to preparations for their opening Premier League fixtures.
Arsenal enter the new league campaign with a trophy already secured, while Manchester City have an immediate opportunity to respond to the Cardiff defeat.
The Community Shield will not define either club’s season. It has, however, provided the first competitive indication of where two of English football’s leading sides stand as another Premier League campaign gets under way.
