Arsenal have begun the 2026/27 season with silverware after a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2026 FA Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The Gunners made a dream start, taking the lead just 25 seconds into the game. Riccardo Calafiori finished off a clever move after receiving a well-timed pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly to put Arsenal 1-0 ahead.
Arsenal continued to look dangerous on the counterattack, while City struggled to turn their possession into clear-cut opportunities.
Kai Havertz doubled Arsenal’s advantage in the 28th minute, rising to head past new City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma following a well-worked move involving Martin Odegaard and Tzolis.
Manchester City had chances to reduce the deficit before the break, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both testing Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. However, Arsenal held firm to take a comfortable 2-0 lead into half-time.
Arteta’s side picked up where they left off after the restart and added a third goal just three minutes into the second half.
Odegaard showed composure inside the box before finishing past Donnarumma in the 48th minute to make it 3-0 and put the game beyond City’s reach.
Despite several changes from new manager Enzo Maresca, Manchester City struggled to find a way back into the contest. Arsenal remained disciplined at the back and comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.
The defeat marks a difficult start to Maresca’s tenure at Manchester City, with the former Leicester City and Chelsea boss now facing plenty to address before the Premier League campaign gets underway.
Arsenal’s 3-0 victory also matches their previous three-goal Community Shield win over Manchester City in 2014, making it the biggest winning margin in the competition since then.
The triumph gives Arsenal their first trophy of the 2026/27 season and provides Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions with an early statement of intent ahead of the new campaign.
