Perfect start: Arsenal rout City to win Community Shield

Arsenal's Martin Odegaard lifts the FA Community Shield trophy as he celebrates with teammates

FOOTBALL - Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield yesterday, giving Mikel Arteta an early-season triumph while condemning new City boss Enzo Maresca to defeat in his first game in charge in the traditional curtain-raiser to the campaign.

With their fourth victory over City in the fixture, Arsenal maintained their 100% win record over their opponents with an emphatic performance at the Principality Stadium where Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard found the net.

"We showed our level today, we showed that we're ready," Odegaard said.

"I think we showed that we're serious, we want to do it again. There's more trophies to go for and that's the aim."

Having failed to convince in pre-season performances that raised a few eyebrows, Arsenal exploded into action with devastating effect right from kickoff, needing just 23 seconds to silence any lingering doubts about their readiness.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was deployed in midfield and he threaded an excellent pass to set up left back Calafiori, who calmly finished past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Arsenal the perfect start against the FA Cup champions.

The early strike - the first goal scored in the opening minute of the fixture in 58 years - set the tone for a dominant display where Arsenal looked fitter, sharper, more confident and full of attacking verve.

City did not have a clear opportunity until the 20th minute when Phil Foden curled a shot from range but David Raya was up to the task, diving to his right to deny the midfielder, while he also saved a shot later from Erling Haaland.

Arsenal doubled their lead when Odegaard floated in a cross to the far post where new signing Christos Tzolis headed the ball back across goal for Havertz to head home, with Donnarumma accidentally spilling the ball over the line.

Arsenal needed just three minutes after the restart to make it 3-0 with Tzolis grabbing his second assist when he set up Odegaard, whose delicate first touch took the ball past Josko Gvardiol before he beat a wrong-footed Donnarumma with ease.

Arsenal kick off the new Premier League campaign on Friday against Coventry City and Odegaard said they were going to play on the front foot to defend their crown.

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