Arsenal won the Community Shield 3-0, settling the final with a goal inside the first minute and never looking back. City had more of the ball and edged the shot count, but Arsenal's finishing was decisive. The defending champions were left chasing the game from the very first attack.
Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring after 60 seconds, finishing from Myles Lewis-Skelly's pass. Kai Havertz doubled the lead in the 28th minute, and Martin Ødegaard made it 3-0 in the 48th, with Christos Tzolis assisting both of those goals. Manchester City's best spell came after that but they could not find a way back.
Arsenal had only 42 per cent possession and nine shots to City's ten, yet they scored three of their four big chances while City missed their only one. The sides were level on five shots on target each, with Arsenal's goalkeeper making four saves. Bookings went to Phil Foden, Calafiori, Joško Gvardiol and Ødegaard.
