Arsenal claims Community Shield victory over Manchester City, 3-0

The Guardian Sport2 min read • Latest: Aug 16, 2026, 7:37 PM

Last updated Aug 16, 2026

Arsenal claims Community Shield victory over Manchester City, 3-0
Summary

Arsenal secured a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Riccardo Calafiori scored just 24 seconds into the match, marking the fastest goal in Community Shield history since 1968. Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard added two more goals for Arsenal, who aim to defend their Premier League title after ending a 22-year wait last season. The loss is significant for Manchester City's new manager, Enzo Maresca, as it ties for the joint-heaviest defeat for a City manager in their opening game.

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By the Numbers
  • Arsenal won 3-0 against Manchester City in the Community Shield
  • Riccardo Calafiori scored the fastest goal in the competition's history
  • Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard contributed to the scoring
  • Maresca faces joint-heaviest defeat as City manager
  • Arsenal seeks back-to-back top-flight titles after last season's success
Latest Updates
  • 7:37 PMThe Guardian Sport‘That’s the standard’: Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal’s desire on blue day for Maresca
What they're saying
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Champions delight manager by ‘winning the first trophy’ Maresca wants Manchester City signings to arrive soon Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal players demonstrated their hunger to defend the Premier League title in their Community Shield triumph over Manchester City. Arsenal, who ended their 22-year wait last season and are seeking to win back-to-back top-flight titles for the first time since 1934-35, beat City 3-0 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in Enzo Maresca’s first significant match in charge. Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring after 24 seconds, the fastest goal in the competition since Bobby Owen’s strike for City in 1968, before Kai Havertz doubled Arsenal’s lead and their captain, Martin Ødegaard, completed the scoring on 48 minutes. The 3-0 defeat represented the joint-heaviest loss for a City manager in their first game in charge, with Harry Newbould the most recent to suffer a three-goal opening defeat – 4-1, also to Arsenal, in 1906. It is also Maresca’s joint-heaviest defeat as a manager in England. Continue reading...

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