August 16, 2026 at 05:00 PM
||Injury
Odegaard's importance, Anderson and Foden struggle - how the players rated
0
Arsenal dominated Manchester City as they beat Enzo Maresca's side 3-0 in the Community Shield in the Principality Stadium.
Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring inside 30 seconds for the Premier League champions before Kai Havertz added a second with a close range header.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard then wrapped up the win with a clever finish just three minutes after the break.
Here's how the players rated as the first piece of silverware of the season was lifted.
Arsenal starting XI
David Raya: A good save from Phil Foden and an excellent take from a corner in the first half. The Arsenal keeper is so good on the ball and played one memorable pass to Christos Tzolis to spark a counter-attack. 7
Ben White: It goes under the radar how valuable a fit Ben White is to Arsenal. He's an experienced member of this team and dealt with the threat of Jeremy Doku while providing back up to Noni Madueke in attack. He produced a massive block to deny Doku when the winger was well placed to shoot in the second half. 7
Cristhian Mosquera: A good recovery run and pass back to Raya when under pressure from Erling Haaland. Looked comfortable all game. 7
Gabriel Magalhaes: Produced a big block as Doku tried to cross the ball. Gabriel celebrated it towards the winger and with the rest of the Arsenal back four. Kept Haaland extremely quiet. 8
Riccardo Calafiori (off 60, Hincapie): The Italy international scored the opener with the first meaningful attack of the match. The left-back is so important to how Arsenal attack and his ability to roam all over the pitch makes him so unpredictable. Could be set for a huge season. 8
Myles Lewis-Skelly (off 75, Zubimendi): Continued his excellent pre-season form as he slid Calafiori through to score the opening goal and set the tone for the match. Broke up play and produced a mature performance to make any thought of him leaving the club more difficult. 8
Bruno Guimaraes (off 46, Rice): Looked like he is exactly the plug and play option that Arsenal wanted. The Brazilian was always available to take the ball and looked play forward quickly when he got it. Taken off at half-time. 7
Martin Odegaard (off 84, Eze): The Arsenal captain has shown that he is back to full fitness this pre-season and displayed in this game why he is so important to Arsenal. It felt like Odegaard played a lot more forward passes during this match than he tried last season and it was his curling ball that led to Arsenal's second goal. Scored Arsenal's third with a clever finish. 9
Noni Madueke (off 60, Saka): Some bright moments and his pace offers Arsenal a constant threat down the wing but still occasions when he could have done better with his final ball. 6
Christos Tzolis: A great start in his first competitive game for Arsenal. The winger recorded two assists in this comfortable win and looks a bright addition to the Gunners attack. 8
Kai Havertz (off 75, Gyokores): Led the line and provided Arsenal their focal point. The Gunners look better with him in attack and the German scored the second of the game. 7
Arsenal substitutes
Declan Rice (on 46, Guimaraes): Came on at half-time in his first minutes since returning from the World Cup with England. Looked very comfortable as Arsenal continued to dominate. 7
Bukayo Saka (on 60, Madueke): One bright burst down the wing but shot from a narrow angle with team-mates well placed. 6
Piero Hincapie (on 60, Calafiori): A reliable option for Arsenal and an extremely aggressive defender. Picked up where Calafiori left off. 7
Viktor Gyokeres (on 75, Havertz): Introduced with 15 minutes to play when the game was already won. 6
Martin Zubimendi (on 75, Lewis-Skelly): The Spain international replaced Myles Lewis-Skelly as Mikel Arteta showed the incredible depth he has at his disposal in this squad. 6
Eberechi Eze (on 84, Odegaard): Brought on in the closing moments with not much time to make an impact. 6
Subs not used: Kepa, Dowman, Merino
Manchester City starting XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma: Not a good day for the City keeper who conceded three and did not look comfortable with the ball at his feet. 5
Abdukodir Khusanov: A solid defender but two of the Arsenal goals were created down his side. 6
Ruben Dias: Was troubled in the air by Kai Havertz and part of a City backline that conceded three goals. 6
Josko Gvardiol: Drifted into midfield when he could to try and receive the ball but like his team-mates was part of a back four that never looked settled. 6

Comments (0)
WC26HUB FAN CLUB
Sign in to share your thoughts.