Thanks for joining us today as Arsenal bashed Manchester City in the Community Shield. We'll be back on Friday as the Premier League starts with Arsenal v Coventry City.

Liverpool are playing Como in a friendly and there is a live text commentary of that one.

Manchester City

City boss Enzo Maresca told TNT Sports: "The reaction after the goal was good. Before they scored the second one we had three or four chances.

"It's a defeat that hurts us but it's just the beginning.

"Elliot was good again. The performance of all the players was affected by the goal we conceded."

On Jack Grealish: "He's here with us. Until here's here with us I'll try to help him. If he's here he will play games."

Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports: "A really good performance. To show the desire we showed and the reaction I was really impressed. I told them I really enjoyed watching them play."

On Christos Tzolis: "I think how naturally he has accommodated in the squad. His level of understanding - he is a player that he make the right decision when a lot of people rushes and make the wrong decisions. He is very smart and accurate. Today in tight spaces he made the right decision twice and he scored two goals."

On strength of midfield: "Very strong. I think we have been adding year after year. Quality combinations. Now we have a lot of leadership."

On the result: "A bit surprised. We had the pre-season and we had eight to nine players to get tested. To play in the manner we did is extremely impressive."

On Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus exclusion: "Really sad to not have their availability. I have been fighting with the Premier League to extend them and to accommodate more players in the squad. They deserve to be in the squad. Hopefully we can change that rule."

This was Arsenal’s biggest victory to nil against Manchester City since August 2014 (also 3-0 in the Community Shield), while it was City's heaviest defeat to nil against an English side since November 2024 v Tottenham Hotspur (4-0).

This is only the fifth time in the past 13 Shields that the English champions have won it. In recent times the FA Cup winners have won it more often - including Crystal Palace last year.

Manchester City

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think the goal we conceded after 25 seconds unfortunately affected the game in that moment. I think after the goal, the reaction was quite good before they scored the second one, we had three or four chances to score and draw the game but unfortunately we conceded the second one and it became more complicated."

On the early goal: "Disappointed with that because in this kind of game the level is so similar that when you concede a goal, it then becomes difficult but I think the action after the first goal was quite good and we created chances but again, 2-0 was even more complicated."

On City's performance outside of the goals: "After the first one I was quite happy because we didn't concede nothing [again], and we created three or four chances to draw the game but unfortunately we conceded the second one, and there is a mistake there but it's just the beginning.

"Then from next Sunday we start the Premier League and then the focus has to be about that."

On what needs to be done: "We have many things to work [on]. The season's just started so there are many things we need to do better but even when we win games there are things we need to do better."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal

Arsenal goalscorer Riccardo Calafiori told TNT Sports: "It was such an important game and an important test for us.

"It was to show our mentality after last season.

"Amazing. It helps the team a lot when you score that early.

"I try always to give a solution to my team-mates. The pass was unbelievable. Myles gave me the perfect ball. It's 70% him and 30% me.

"Christos was one of the best players on the pitch today.

"It's close to perfection this kind of performance."

Image source, Getty Images

Christos Tzolis was the first Arsenal player to assist two or more goals on his debut since Willian in September 2020.

Read Alex Howell's player ratings from Cardiff too by clicking this link.

Manchester City

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias, speaking to TNT Sports: "Well, obviously not good enough. First of all, thank you to the fans that came. Obviously a long distance. Thank you to all of them for coming so far. It is the beginning of the season, it is not good enough. In the end, this is just the start, and the most important thing is we're already looking forward and we will be ready for our next game.

"I joined midway [in pre-season]. This is the third game since I have been back. The feeling has been good. Today is frustrating, and it is a final that we all wanted to win. If there is a lesson to be learnt in the final, let it be this one, as there's a lot more coming. It is a positive energy.

"The feeling of a lot of work to put into. It's part of any transition for things to be not so perfect in the beginning. You need to push through, you need to communicate, and make things work between us. I feel we're in a very good way, but we need to keep on working. There's going to be lots of challenges along the way."

Izzy Christiansen
Former Man City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

This was a new-look Arsenal.

An Arsenal very concerned with going forward early and putting the opponent on the back foot and they did, they put their authority all over City in the first 25 minutes and the damage was already done.

When I look at this Arsenal team, they have a solution for every problem an opponent gives them. They're so well-coached and students of the way Arteta coaches them. It's taken them years to get to this and it is a message in resilience and trusting the process.

I can only give huge credit to Mikel Arteta.

Image source, Getty Images

Martin Odegaard completed the most passes (55/58) and dribbles (3/3) of any Arsenal player, as well as winning possession the most times for the Gunners (nine).

This is Enzo Maresca’s joint-heaviest defeat as a manager in England, having previously lost 3-0 with Chelsea to Brighton in February 2025.

In November 2021 his Parma lost 4-0 to Lecce in Serie B.

Pat Nevin
Former Everton winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

You can say Arsenal are favourites for the Premier League.

Liverpool could come back and be very, very strong. Manchester City, don't write them off at all because of one game here and they were stronger last year and I think there's more to be added.

But I'm looking at Arsenal and this isn't six months of build, it's six years of build and they build every year and it's better now than it was last year.

I wouldn't write them off for the Champions League either because they've got the depth.

Declan Rice lifted the Community Shield up to the fans but forgot it had a flap at the back which whacked him in the face then.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal debutant Christos Tzolis became the first player to assist two goals in a Community Shield since David Beckham in 1996 (for Manchester United against Newcastle United).

Arsenal’s opener after 23 seconds was the quickest goal the Gunners have scored under Mikel Arteta - from a total of 668 goals.

Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Manchester City have only won two of their nine matches against Arsenal (D4 L3).