Arsenal's total dominance in Cardiff. Arteta's team lifts the first trophy of the season, the Community Shield, and does so thanks to a convincing 3-0 victory over a Manchester City in great difficulty. Calafiori opens the series after just 24 seconds, then Havertz doubles and Odegaard seals everything at the start of the second half. The Gunners' new signing, Tzolis, also shines, author of two assists in his official debut with the Arsenal shirt.
The match starts and the Gunners immediately take the lead: Calafiori receives an excellent assist from Lewis-Skelly and beats goalkeeper Donnarumma with a shot in the foreground. Manchester City's reaction is very weak and in the 28th minute, the Spaniard Arteta's team doubles with Kai Havertz. Tzolis serves with a header – after a cross from Odegaard – the German striker, who also heads the Italian goalkeeper. The Citizens' first real opportunity comes only in the 39th minute, but Haaland's shot from the center of the area is intercepted by Raya; on the rebound Lewis-Skelly precedes O'Reilly. In the development of the same action, Semenyo crosses into the center, but Doku is stopped at the last moment by Ben White. Thus ends the first half, with the Italian Enzo Maresca's team in great difficulties.
The second half starts in the same way. Again Tzolis assists: the new approach crosses into the center for captain Odegaard, who passes Guardiola and disorients goalkeeper Donnarumma with a feint. In the 47th minute it is already 3-0 and the Gunners' dominance over City is total. With the match closed after just over a half of play, in the remaining minutes Arsenal manages the advantage and both teams make several substitutions, but the chances are lacking until the 80th minute, when Raya makes a beautiful save on Semenyo. The match ends after 3 minutes of extra time, in a meeting that, from the first minutes, was never in question. After the triumph in the Premier League last season, 2026/27 starts on a good foot for Arteta and his team.
