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Alan Pardew says Arsenal look ‘head and shoulders’ above their rivals in the Premier League ahead of their title defence this coming season. The Gunners breezed past a lacklustre Manchester City to get their hands on the first piece of silverware up for grabs this weekend, putting three goals past Enzo Maresca’s men to clinch the Community Shield in comprehensive fashion. Riccardo Calafiori got Arsenal off to a lightning start with the opener just 23 seconds into the showdown, before Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard struck either side of half-time to put the game to bed. Christos Tzolis shone on debut for the reigning English champions, setting both Havertz and Odegaard, while marquee signing Bruno Guimaraes also made his first outing for the north Londoners at the Principality Stadium. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. Only Manchester United (21) have won the Community Shield more times than Arsenal (18), with Mikel Arteta winning the prize twice as a player and now three times as a manager. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Odegaard and Co will look to pick up where they left off on Friday when they kick off the new Premier League campaign at home to newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates. Pardew expects it to be another ‘difficult’ season for Arsenal after finishing with a seven-point advantage over City in Pep Guardiola’s final year as head coach. However, the former Newcastle and Crystal Palace believes Arteta’s men are far and away the standout team before has been ball is kicked in the top flight. ‘It’s an outstanding signing,’ Pardew said of Arsenal’s £75million deal for Guimaraes on talkSPORT. ‘What you’ve got is a player who knows the Premier League, is top, top end of the Premier League in terms of a creative midfield player and he can dig in when needed. ‘There was one word being used, continuity… all the other clubs haven’t got that, they’ve got new managers, so that is going to be a really big plus for Arteta this year. ‘I wouldn’t say he’s got a free run at it as it’s always difficult to win the Premier League, especially back-to-back, an Arsenal are going to try and do that. ‘It’s going to be a tough season but at the moment you have to say wow, they look head and shoulders [above the rest] at the moment.’ Pardew can see Arsenal further strengthening their squad with another ‘big star’ after missing out on top attacking target Vinicius Junior earlier this month. He went on: ‘When you’ve won the title, it’s a different confidence and it’s a different thing. ‘Those players have all got the gold medal in the locker and now they’ve brought in a top, top midfield player to add to that, and maybe another big star to come as well. ‘I think that’s where the key is: who is this next player going to be for Arsenal? Because he could take them to a level where they win the league with a bit to spare. ‘At the moment, the jury is way, way out on a Community Shield performance, but they’ve come back, they look mentally strong and they were much more at it today than Manchester City. ‘Manchester City looked like they were just getting through it, it’s perhaps not where their focus is, and Arsenal were the complete opposite. That showed.’ Will Arsenal win the Premier League title again this season? - Yes - No For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Martin Odegaard sends clear warning to Arsenal’s rivals after Community Shield victory MORE: Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal transfer plan after Community Shield win over Manchester City MORE: Stuart Pearce slams ‘pathetic’ Arsenal star after Community Shield win