news-engine

Arsenal were resounding 3-0 winners over Manchester City in a confidence-boosting Community Shield. In their first competitive match since defeat in the Champions League final at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, Mikel Arteta’s side put on a show at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff with goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard downing the FA Cup holders in the season’s curtain-raiser. Gunners fans enjoyed their trip to the Welsh capital and will feel renewed optimism over what their Premier League title defence could have in store. Dom Smith was at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to rate the Arsenal players’ performances… David Raya 7 Kept a deserved clean sheet and made big saves to deny Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. Solid, and commanding in his area, too. Ben White 5 Steady down the right without being spectacular. Once or twice he got caught and allowed Jeremy Doku to run free. Gabriel 6 Fierce at the back, with one superb challenge on Doku stopping a City attack dead and sending a message. Cristhian Mosquera 7 Made some impressive tackles and showcased his top-level recovery pace. Riccardo Calafiori 7 Booked for diving, but only once he had sensationally put Arsenal into a 24-second lead with a composed finish when put through by Myles Lewis-Skelly. Myles Lewis-Skelly 7 That assist for Calafiori was the game’s outstanding moment and displayed the Englishman at his physical yet technical best. Made some big tackles and outmuscled a few City players, much to the Arsenal fans’ delight. A quietly assured debut. Noni Madueke 6 Didn’t always have luck on his side, but kept plugging away with plenty of trickery, until replaced by Bukayo Saka. Martin Odegaard 8 A constant thorn in City’s side and by a long distance the best player on the pitch for either side. That was true even before he snuck through unchecked and nonchalantly baited Gianluigi Donnarumma before stroking home the third. Read More A competitive debut that started nervously but kept improving. Came away with a pair of assists. Kai Havertz 7 Will be delighted to have got on the scoresheet in the first competitive game of the season, nodding in after Tzolis headed square. Subs: Declan Rice (Guimaraes, 46’) 6 Didn’t do anything spectacular but helped to break up play. Bukayo Saka (Madueke, 56’) 5 Hugged the touchline on the right but it didn’t quite happen for the substitute on his return. Piero Hincapie (Calafiori, 56’) 5 Slotted in at left-back but misplaced the odd pass and didn’t have Antoine Semenyo’s number despite trying to mark him. Eberechi Eze (Odegaard, 84’) N/A Not used: Kepa, Gyokeres, Merino, Zubimendi, Dowman