Premier League champions Arsenal delivered a statement win to start the season, beating rivals Manchester City 3-0 to lift the 2026 Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Mikel Arteta’s side wasted no time. Just 23 seconds in, Myles Lewis-Skelly slid in Riccardo Calafiori, who coolly slotted past City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to give the Gunners an early lead.
Arsenal doubled the advantage in the 28th minute. Summer signing Christos Tzolis nodded Martin Odegaard’s cross back across goal, and Kai Havertz was on hand to power a downward header home.
The rout was completed three minutes after the break. Tzolis turned provider again, finding Odegaard in the City box. The Norwegian captain fooled Donnarumma with a brilliant fake shot before rolling the ball into the far corner.
It was a comprehensive display against the FA Cup holders and gives Arsenal their second trophy in four months and a record-extending 18th Community Shield title.
The match was moved to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium while Wembley hosts Canadian singer The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours til Dawn’ tour.
