Arsenal Crush Man City 3-0 to Lift Record-Equalling 18th Community Shield
Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard scored as Mikel Arteta's side dominated the traditional English season curtain-raiser at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Calafiori stunned City by opening the scoring after just 23 seconds, the fastest goal in the fixture for 58 years. The Italian defender's early strike immediately put Arsenal in control and set the tone for a one-sided contest.
Havertz doubled Arsenal's advantage in the 28th minute before Odegaard completed the rout early in the second half, with Greek winger Christos Tzolis providing two assists in an impressive display.
City, appearing under new manager Enzo Maresca for the first time following Pep Guardiola's departure, struggled to impose themselves on the game. Arsenal's defence largely kept Erling Haaland quiet, while goalkeeper David Raya secured a clean sheet.
The victory gives Arsenal their 18th Community Shield, moving them to second on the all-time list and providing an early boost as they prepare to defend their Premier League title.
For Arteta, the triumph offers an encouraging start to another campaign in which Arsenal will seek domestic and European honours. The Gunners now turn their attention to their Premier League opener against newly promoted Coventry City.
For Maresca, meanwhile, the defeat provides an early warning of the scale of the rebuilding task facing him at City as the club begins life after Guardiola.
Arsenal's emphatic victory also continues their strong recent record against City in the Community Shield, having beaten them on penalties in 2023 after a 1-1 draw.
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