Arsenal won the Community Shield by beating Manchester City 3-0. The scoreline and performance have left a lot to ponder.
Arsenal were extraordinary as they swept Manchester City aside in the Community Shield. Arsenal picked up from where they left off last season, and the improvement in certain areas of the team was clear to see.
For Maresca, who is new in the City job, there is a lot to think about, and here are three talking points from yesterday’s result.
-
Arsenal Played Without Fear
Arsenal didn’t hold back in the Community Shield yesterday. Everybody moved freely, and the goal after 27 seconds was enough proof of that.
Adding to the collection ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SRg6gIybPi
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 16, 2026
Odegaard played like he held the keys to the city, and Lewis Skelly was just in a world of his own. The defence was under little pressure from Manchester City and from themselves. Every pass had this feeling of confidence and ease with it.
It felt like Arsenal had entered a new gear, and by the time it was 3-0, they had truly confirmed they were in a new gear.
-
Manchester City Were in Six and Sevens
Remember how that six-seven meme took over the internet? I can’t explain how it became an internet craze; same way I can’t explain why Manchester City were all over the place yesterday.
The press wasn’t coherent; they kept backing off, especially when the ball got to the midfield. Speaking of the midfield, where was it? Rodri’s absence left a big hole, maybe even bigger than Kovacic had expected, because he was struggling to make it stick.
-
Tzolis is a Superstar
Arsenal have made a wonder signing in Tzolis. He ran the whole left wing like his rent was due. He was on almost every attack, and when Calafiori needed him to double up defensively, he was there. His pace and stamina will do wonders to Arsenal’s press in the new season.
A creative spark in attack 💫
Your FA Community Shield POTM: Christos Tzolis 🏅
🤝 @WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/Bnht5xwZO7
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 16, 2026
He also demonstrated a high understanding of the game. His positioning on Calafiori’s goal and in the latter part of the first half, when the Italian nearly got a second, were the biggest highlights of his attacking play.
Tzolis knew when to tuck in to create more space for the attacking fullback, and he ended up providing two assists in his official introduction to English football.
