English Premier League champions Arsenal made a bold statement about their readiness for the new season with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over FA Cup holders Manchester City in the Community Shield.

The Gunners demonstrated their superiority over the Citizens, scoring two goals in the first half of the encounter, traditionally staged as the curtain-raiser for the new English football season.

Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring in the first minute at the Principality Stadium, putting Mikel Arteta’s side on the path to victory.

Kai Havertz doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 28th minute, giving the league champions a commanding advantage going into the break.

The second half produced one more goal, with Martin Ødegaard completing Arsenal’s emphatic victory.

While the result offers a strong indication of Arteta’s ambitions to build on last season’s success, it represents a disappointing start to the new campaign for Manchester City as they begin the post-Pep Guardiola era.