Arsenal thrashed Manchester City 3-0 to win the Community Shield for the 18th time, the third under Mikel Arteta. However, the stylish victory might not be entirely positive for the Premier League champions.
Dominant Display in Cardiff
Riccardo Calafiori put Arsenal ahead after just 24 seconds at the Principality Stadium, in the first Community Shield match played in Cardiff for 20 years. Kai Havertz doubled the lead in the 28th minute with a close-range header. Captain Martin Odegaard sealed the win three minutes into the second half with a brilliant touch and finish that fooled Josko Gvardiol and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The 3-0 win saw Arsenal lift the octagonal shield once more, but there is reason for concern despite the impressive performance.
The 'Community Shield Curse'
The 'Community Shield curse' is a statistical trend that Arsenal must now overcome. Over the last 15 years, only one team has won both the Community Shield and the Premier League in the same season – Manchester City in 2018/19. The previous instance was Manchester United in 2010/11.
Arsenal have fallen victim to the curse five times since then. They beat City 3-0 in 2014, Chelsea 1-0 in 2015, Chelsea on penalties in 2017, Liverpool on penalties in 2019, and City on penalties in 2023. In none of those seasons did they finish higher than second.
Title Defence Challenge
Arsenal are now tasked with breaking that streak as they bid to be crowned back-to-back champions for the first time in the Premier League era. They have not retained a league title since 1934-35, and each of their last three title defences has seen them finish second – twice behind Manchester United and once behind Chelsea.
City are viewed as their biggest contenders, but they have a new manager for the first time in a decade, with Enzo Maresca replacing Pep Guardiola. Their shaky display in Cardiff will give Arsenal fans more hope.
Transfer Activity
Arsenal have brought in winger Tzolis, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, and defender Piero Hincapie, who had a successful loan at the Emirates last season. They could still sign another left winger and defender before September 1.
PSG's Bradley Barcola is a potential option on the left, but Liverpool are also in discussions to sign the Frenchman, who could cost more than £130million. Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Juventus' Kenan Yildiz are other targets. In defence, Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa is the No.1 option, with Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah a cheaper alternative.
Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson, and Ethan Nwaneri are all expected to move on before the month ends. Nwaneri could be loaned out, though a permanent departure has not been ruled out.
