Arteta: Community Shield win has set the standard for Arsenal

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Manchester City has set the standard for their season.

The Gunners won 3-0 at the Principality Stadium thanks to goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.

It was the biggest margin of victory in a Community Shield game since 2014, when the Gunners also beat Man City by the same scoreline, and it was the third time Arteta has won the trophy as manager.

Arsenal wasted no time during their statement win as Calafiori netted after just 23 seconds, the first goal scored in the opening minute of the Community Shield since Bobby Owen for City against West Brom in 1968.

Christos Tzolis also impressed on his full debut, becoming the first player to assist two or more goals in a Community Shield game since David Beckham in 1996.

And Arteta was delighted with his team’s performance, urging them to maintain their hunger throughout the campaign.

“We talked about the desire that we have to start the season and to show ourselves how much we want it,” Arteta said.

2.19 – 100% of Arsenal’s xG against Manchester City in their 3-0 Community Shield win came from open play (2.19); it’s the fourth-highest 100% rate for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta and the most since September 2023 against PSV (2.3).

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 16, 2026

“I certainly saw a lot of positive things there, against a top opponent.

“It is down to the preparation that we did in pre-season, the decisions that the boys have taken after the World Cup, to continue to get prepared, to come early and be part of this.

“They really wanted to win the competition because it is something that we earned last year, the chance to play City here. Very impressed with the way we played, especially in the manner that we competed.

“That is the standard for us. If we drive the standards at this level, I am sure we are going to be really competitive.”

Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence on Friday, when they host 2025-26 Championship winners Coventry City.

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