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Mikel Arteta's inspired tactical change as Arsenal embarrass Man City to land first title blow

Arsenal landed the first blow of the new season as Mikel Arteta's side embarrassed Manchester City in the Community Shield in Cardiff

[Arsenal celebrate]

Arsenal hammered Manchester City in the Community Shield(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal landed the first blow of the new season as Mikel Artetas champions made a statement start against Manchester City in a dominant 3-0 hammering.

The two favourites to battle it out for the Premier League title this season clashed in Cardiff for the Community Shield. Arsenals support trounced Citys in the Welsh capital and inside the stadium, and that atmosphere told when Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring after just 24 seconds.

Arsenal have been constantly slammed under Arteta for playing with the handbrake on and being too cautious against top sides, but the freedom of the occasion saw the Gunners come flying out of the traps.

[Riccardo Calafiori]

Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring in Cardiff

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Calafiori was played through on goal by a brilliant threaded pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose ball was weighted perfectly into the Italians path, allowing him not to break a stride and slot the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma first time. It was a nightmare beginning for Enzo Maresca as City boss - Pep Guardiola's replacement saw his side's clean sheet evaporate in less than half a minute and was subjected to goading chants of 'sacked in the morning' from Arsenal fans.

Lewis-Skellys future has been a major talking point heading into the new season with Manchester United and Chelsea both linked with signing the versatile 19-year-old amid speculation that Arsenal could look to cash in on their academy product.

Despite Bruno Guimaraes 75million signing and Declan Rice starting on the bench just four weeks after finishing his World Cup campaign with England, Lewis-Skelly again showed his class in midfield and continues to prove his best position is in the middle of the park rather than at left-back, where he was forced to break through into the first-team.

[Arsenal]

Arsenal landed the first blow of the new Premier League season(Image: The FA via Getty Images)

[Enzo Maresca]

Enzo Maresca's first game in charge of Manchester City couldn't have gone worse(Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal continued to impress and no one could begrudge them a second goal in the first half when Kai Havertzs point-blank range header proved too difficult for Donnarumma to keep out.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, debutant Christos Tzolis cushioned a header across the face of goal to find Havertz inside the six-yard box. Donnarumma was incredibly unconvincing in his attempt to keep the ball out but the direction and power on Havertzs header didnt make it easier for the big Italian.

City eventually showed some attacking threat when Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku were both denied by inspired last-ditch Arsenal defending. Having conceded eight goals in four pre-season fixtures, Arsenals pride in putting right that form was obvious.

[Martin Odegaard]

Martin Odegaard embarrassed Gianluigi Donnarumma for Arsenal's third(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The only blemish on Arsenals day at the break saw Guimaraes withdrawn on his debut for Declan Rice, with the 75million arrival from Newcastle emerging from the tunnel with ice strapped to his hamstring.

But any immediate concerns were forgotten as Arsenal again made another quick start following the restart as Martin Odegaard made it three.

Tzolis notched his second assist of the game when he picked out his captain in the box. Odegaards first touch left Josko Gvardiol on the deck before Donnarummas dreadful Andre Onana-esque performance continued as he again committed to the shot too early, falling out of the way and offering up an open goal.

Arsenal fans brought out the 'oles' as their stars knocked the ball around, confidence flowing through the side. The only time City looked like scoring was when Antoine Semenyo forced David Raya into a strong one-hand save - their first shot on target in the second half on 75 minutes.

The Gunners start their Premier League defence on Friday against newly-promoted Coventry where all eyes will be on whether Arteta's side can follow up the same level of performance.

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