Gunners make early statement in Cardiff

AP:

Enzo Maresca endured a nightmare start to his Manchester City tenure as Arsenal struck inside 24 seconds and powered to a commanding 3-0 victory in the Community Shield yesterday.

The annual season curtain-raiser between Premier League champions Arsenal and FA Cup winners City offered an early glimpse of the two teams expected to contend for major honours this season. Arsenal delivered a sharp, authoritative performance at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, while City showed worrying signs at the dawn of the post-Pep Guardiola era.

Riccardo Calafiori stunned City with a goal after just 23 seconds, and Arsenal never looked back. Kai Havertz doubled the lead in the 28th minute, heading home through the grasp of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, before Martin Odegaard waltzed into the area three minutes after half-time, sat Donnarumma down with a clever dummy, and rolled in the third.

Arsenal’s jubilant supporters taunted Maresca with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” during a match in which City rarely troubled goalkeeper David Raya. Erling Haaland, only recently back in training after the World Cup, managed just seven touches before being substituted in the 53rd minute.

“The goal we conceded after 30 seconds affects the game,” Maresca said. “It’s a defeat that hurts us, but it’s only the beginning.”

The win was ideal preparation for Arsenal ahead of their Premier League title defence, which begins at home to Coventry on Friday.

“I think we showed our level today, that we are ready,” said Odegaard, Arsenal’s captain. “We are serious and we want to do it again.”

City open their league campaign two days later at home to Bournemouth, and it remains to be seen whether Maresca will react to the defeat by reshuffling his squad.

“It’s part of any transition, for things to not be perfect in the beginning,” newly appointed City captain Ruben Dias said. “You need to keep on working ... and there’s going to be lots of challenges along the way.”

EXPLOSIVE START

Calafiori raced on to Myles Lewis-Skelly’s threaded pass to give Arsenal a blistering start, scoring the first opening-minute goal in the Community Shield since 1968, when Bobby Owen netted for City against West Bromwich Albion.

Arsenal’s margin of victory was the largest in the season curtain-raiser since 2014 – when they also beat City 3-0.

City were without World Cup-winning captain Rodri, who continues his recovery from minor back surgery amid speculation of a move to Barcelona. His absence left a significant gap in midfield, one only partly filled by Elliot Anderson, who joined from Nottingham Forest for US$155 million.

One intriguing selection was Jack Grealish, who came on at the start of the second half for his first appearance in more than a year. His involvement raises questions about whether his City career could be revived after spending last season on loan at Everton.

Maresca offered little clarity. “While he’s here with us, it’s my duty to help him,” he said.