Nightmare Man City start for Maresca - are Arsenal really so far ahead?

‘The gap was quite stunning’ – how one-sided was it?

Arsenal took the lead after just 23 seconds, doubled their advantage thanks to some static City defending in the 23rd minute, and then added a third three minutes into the second half.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told TNT Sports at the end of the game: “The gap was really quite stunning.

“Arsenal really let the handbrake off, but Manchester City looked lifeless. Arsenal have made a real statement of intent. Their biggest problem is who does Arteta pick? Man City have a lot more problems.”

Manchester City received “a bit of a schooling”, according to former Scotland striker Ally McCoist, who added: “I know it’s early days and but it is concerning for Manchester City.”

The underlying numbers showed how Arsenal dominated. The Gunners created 2.19 expected goals (xG) compared to City’s 0.77 and, intriguingly for Arsenal, none of their xG came from set-pieces.

That metric gauges how likely chances are to result in goals, taking into account a range of variables, and Arsenal finished with almost three times the xG total of City.

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 a 4-0 defeat in November 2024 against Tottenham.

“We played some brilliant football. Great performance and a great way to start the season,” Arsenal captain Odegaard told TNT Sports.

“We showed our level today. We’re showed we’re ready. We’re serious and we want to do it again.”

Arsenal’s players and fans were happy to celebrate their second trophy in four months, but just how seriously should we view their performance in a relatively minor competition?

Ten-time Community Shield winner Sir Alex Ferguson stated in 2011 he had always thought of the match simply “as a stepping stone” to the season ahead.

In fact, since the Premier League started in 1992-93, only eight of the 34 winners of the Charity Shield or Community Shield have gone on to win the league.

Manchester City, in 2018-19, were the last team to do so – and before that it was Ferguson’s Manchester United in 2010-11.

Have Arsenal had the better window?

Manchester City started the summer window purposefully, swiftly agreeing a £116m deal for England midfielder Elliot Anderson, but they have yet to back that move up with other first-team signings.

Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva and John Stones were allowed to leave on free transfers and Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and James Trafford were sold for substantial fees.

Key player Rodri is heading for Barcelona, too, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez a potential replacement.

World Cup winner Rodri is in his final year of his City contract and a £65m deal has been struck.

City gave first run-outs of the summer to Erling Haaland and Anderson against Arsenal – after their stints at the World Cup – so Maresca will be keen to stress a lot more is to come.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have only sold fringe players Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Christian Norgaard, while signing first-teamers Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, and recruiting last season’s loanee Piero Hincapie on a permanent deal.

Former Newcastle captain Guimaraes looked comfortable at the base of Arsenal’s midfield in Cardiff, while Tzolis shone with two assists.

The Gunners were also able to call on the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres from the substitutes’ bench, as they showed off their serious strength in depth.

“Elliot Anderson, while he tried hard, is not fitting brilliantly well yet,” ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“There’s a whole big job to do, but City fans will tell you that – it’s transition time.

“City just haven’t got the best manager in the business managing them any more. They haven’t looked as controlled.

“Are they going to be in the top two, three? Yes, absolutely, don’t worry about that City fans, but are you up there with Arsenal? You look a wee distance behind.”

Arsenal cruise to Community Shield win against disappointing Man City
Odegaard’s importance, Anderson and Foden struggle – how the players rated
Football Daily: Can anyone stop Arsenal & how do City improve under Maresca?

What about Arsenal’s other rivals?

If not Manchester City – and it is far too early to rule them out – who might stop Arsenal marching to a 15th league title?

All of Arsenal’s other ‘big six’ rivals are arguably also in periods of transition.

Of that notional group of clubs, only Arsenal go into the upcoming season with the same manager they had at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

Like Maresca at City, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola and Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso took charge this summer, while Manchester United’s Michael Carrick and Tottenham’s Roberto de Zerbi were appointed partway through last season.

Arsenal’s stability compared to their rivals looks to be a big factor in their favour.

Sports data analysts at Opta have the Gunners as Premier League favourites, giving Arteta’s side a 38% chance of lifting the trophy.

Should they do so, it would be Arsenal’s first successful top-flight title defence since way back in 1934-35.

Nevin stated: “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.

“Arsenal fans have waited a long time and it’s been nearly so many times in the past and you just wondered if that team could become a winning dynasty. Well, they’ve got it.

“I’m not saying they’re going to do it, but they’re capable of it. I think they’re going to add a little bit more between now and the transfer window closing, but that team out there looked comfortable with themselves.”

What fans think

Gary, London

Arsenal looked sharper, Tzolis looked incredible, Lewis-Skelly wanted to show he’s fighting for his place and City looked absolutely lost, it’s only the community shield but what a great show from the Arsenal!

Luca, New York

As a City fan, this is getting embarrassing, Arsenal are levels above us. Either they’re amazing and will break the 100 point barrier, or we’re terrible and will finish 10th. No in-between.

Kurt, Norfolk

Maresca might visually be Pep’s doppelganger, but he looks to be filling some enormous shoes with toddler feet at the moment. Awful start to his time at the Etihad.

Tim, Cambridge

Life after Pep…not looking great.

Neil, Shropshire

City to finish sixth. Manager sacked by Xmas.

David, Yorkshire

Writing off a team after a glorified friendly with key players on less than a week’s training is just silly. Remember when Haaland’s Community Shield debut had people calling Darwin Nunez the better signing? Preseason mean nothing in the grand scheme of things.

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