CARDIFF CRUNCH! Arsenal blitz City 3-0 in nightmare debut for Maresca

CARDIFF, Wales — Arsenal made a ringing statement to kick off the new English football season, cruising to a emphatic 3-0 victory over Manchester City at the Principality Stadium to claim the 2026 FA Community Shield.

​The Gunners wasted no time asserting control in the curtain-raiser. Defender Riccardo Calafiori broke the deadlock after just 23 seconds, converting a pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly to stun City’s backline. Kai Havertz doubled the lead before the half-hour mark, heading home a setup from Christos Tzolis to put Mikel Arteta’s side firmly in the driver’s seat.

​Just two minutes into the second half, Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard capped off a sublime, Player of the Match-winning performance by firing home a cool finish to make it 3-0. Ødegaard pulled the strings throughout the match, dictating play and leaving City’s midfield chasing shadows.

​The result marks a nightmare start for new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca. Taking the reins following Pep Guardiola’s departure, Maresca watched his side struggle for cohesiveness despite starters like Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma. City created occasional chances, but David Raya stood tall in goal for Arsenal to preserve the clean sheet.

​Arsenal head into their Premier League title defense brimming with momentum, while Maresca and Manchester City face urgent questions ahead of their league opener against AFC Bournemouth.