There was a distinctly Italian flavour to the Community Shield as Arsenal swept aside Manchester City 3-0 in Cardiff, for better and for worse.
Riccardo Calafiori set the tone inside the opening minute, the Italy defender racing onto a clever pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly and finishing low past Gianluigi Donnarumma after just 26 seconds.
It was the perfect start for Mikel Arteta’s side and a nightmare one for Enzo Maresca, taking charge of his first competitive match as Manchester City manager following Pep Guardiola’s departure.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City looks dejected after miss kicking his clearance straight to Kai Havertz of Arsenal (not pictured), who scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Donnarumma and Maresca endure Arsenal battering
Things only got worse for the Italian coach and his compatriot in goal. Kai Havertz doubled the lead on the half-hour, his header squirming through Donnarumma, before Martin Odegaard rounded the goalkeeper to slot into an empty net early in the second half.
Christos Tzolis was the game’s creative star with two assists, as City, the reigning FA Cup winners, were comprehensively outplayed.
For Calafiori, it capped a fine curtain-raiser; for Donnarumma and Maresca, a humbling moment. Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, lifted the season’s first trophy in emphatic fashion.