Premier League champion Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield on Sunday (August 16, 2026), giving Mikel Arteta an early-season triumph while condemning new City boss Enzo Maresca to defeat in his first game in charge in the traditional curtain-raiser to the campaign.
Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori scores their first goal | Photo Credit: Action Images via Reuters The early strike — the first goal scored in the opening minute of the fixture in 58 years — set the tone for a dominant display where Arsenal looked fitter, sharper, more confident and full of attacking verve. Maresca’s side showed only flashes of their attacking threat but Raya stood firm to preserve a clean sheet while Haaland last season’s Golden Boot winner with 27 goals — was kept quiet and withdrawn before the hour-mark. City did not have a clear opportunity until the 20th minute when Phil Foden curled a shot from range but David Raya was up to the task, diving to his right to deny the midfielder, while he also saved a shot later from Erling Haaland. Arsenal doubled their lead when Odegaard floated in a cross to the far post where new signing Christos Tzolis headed the ball back across goal for Havertz to head home, with Donnarumma accidentally spilling the ball over the line.