Arsenal defeated Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield played in Cardiff, in Enzo Maresca's first competitive match as City manager following Pep Guardiola's departure after a decade in charge. Goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martín Ødegaard gave Arsenal the victory.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was "a bit surprised" by his team's convincing performance. "To play the way we did is extremely impressive," he told TNT Sports. Maresca, meanwhile, downplayed the result: "It's a defeat that hurts us, but it's only the beginning".
Arsenal dominated the underlying numbers: the Gunners generated 2.19 expected goals (xG) compared to City's 0.77, nearly triple. The London side went ahead after 23 seconds, doubled their lead in the 23rd minute taking advantage of City's passive defence, and scored the third three minutes after the restart.
Retired defender Martín Keown pointed out to TNT Sports that "the gap was really quite staggering". "Arsenal really let loose, but Manchester City looked lifeless," he added. Former Scottish striker Ally McCoist said City received "something of a lesson" and warned that "it is concerning for Manchester City".
Arsenal signed midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and striker Christos Tzolis before the season, while Manchester City are still in a transition period under Maresca. Rodri is heading to Barcelona in a £65 million deal, while City agreed a £116 million transfer for English midfielder Elliot Anderson. However, analysts noted that City has sold key players like Bernardo Silva and John Stones as free transfers.
