Three standout players from Arsenal's Community Shield win over Man City
Arsenal thrashed Manchester City 3-0 to open the 2026/27 season with a Community Shield triumph in Cardiff.
The Gunners opened the scoring in no time when Riccardo Calafiori latched onto a pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly before beating Gianluigi Donnarumma after less than one minute. Kai Havertz doubled his side's lead when he met Christos Tzolis' headed cross with a nod past the Italian. Martin Ødegaard then put the seal on victory as he dummied the City 'keeper to roll the ball into the net.
It was a superb team display from Mikel Arteta's side, one of their best in a long time, but there were three players that stood out from the rest.
Starting a season that could potentially decide his Arsenal career, Martin Ødegaard proved his worth to his side with a brilliant display in the Welsh capital.
The Gunners captain looked back to his best as he controlled the ball well and picked out a number of good passes and crosses, with one paying off for Tzolis to meet at the far post and head back in for Havertz to nod in the second.
He then got on the scoresheet himself when he picked the ball up from Tzolis to knock it past the City defence and go one-on-one with Donnarumma, faking him before converting to round off a sublime showing.
If his pre-season was anything to go by, Christos Tzolis is quite a good footballer and he showed that once again in the Community Shield victory.
The Greek winger was handed his full debut with a start on the left wing and he repaid Arteta's faith with involvement in all three of his side's goals. He played a part in the build-up to the opener inside the first minute before assisting the second and third.
Tzolis met Ødegaard's cross to head the ball back in for Havertz to beat Donnarumma before he set up his captain with a well-executed pass just after half-time. Fans will be hoping his debut is a sign of things to come in North London.
Myles Lewis-Skelly answered questions about his Arsenal future in last week's friendly draw with Como and if there were any remaining doubters, he did it again against City.
He was involved immediately when he found Calafiori with an inch-perfect through ball that split the defence for the Italian to convert past Donnarumma.
The Hale End graduate then came to his side's rescue at the other end of the pitch as he got in front of Matt O'Reilly to clear away a rebound from a David Raya save, and he continued to help out his team before being withdrawn with 15 minutes remaining.
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