Community Shield news: Elliot Anderson struggles as Arsenal cruise to 3-0 win vs Man City

Arsenal opened their season with a dominant 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scored as Mikel Arteta's side controlled the contest at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. 

Elliot Anderson struggled to influence the game for Man City, who were unable to establish control in midfield without Rodri.

The result handed Enzo Maresca defeat in his first competitive game as Man City head coach, while Arsenal lifted the first piece of silverware of the new campaign.

Arsenal make comfortable start to season

Arsenal needed just 24 seconds to take the lead through Calafiori, who headed home after Myles Lewis-Skelly's delivery found him at the back post.

Havertz doubled the advantage before half-time, with Christos Tzolis providing the assist, before Odegaard completed the scoring early in the second half.

Tzolis was particularly impressive on his full debut, contributing to all three goals as Arsenal repeatedly exposed gaps in the Man City defence.

Arteta was delighted with the intensity his players showed despite several members of the squad only recently returning from their post-World Cup breaks.

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Anderson unable to influence midfield

Anderson was unable to produce the creativity or control Man City needed to get back into the contest.

The £116m summer signing from Nottingham Forest had previously been identified as an important component of the midfield rebuild, particularly with Bernardo Silva and Rodri no longer available.

However, Arsenal's midfield prevented Anderson from finding meaningful pockets of space, leaving Man City struggling to progress the ball consistently.

The performance also highlighted the size of the task facing Maresca as he attempts to reshape the team following Pep Guardiola's departure.

Rodri-shaped hole remains obvious

Maresca insisted afterwards that Man City's poor display should not be viewed as a long-term concern, pointing to the number of players who have only recently returned from the World Cup.

"This is the beginning. We have many things to do better," Maresca told Sky Sports.

However, the absence of Rodri was difficult to overlook.

The Spaniard's departure for Barcelona leaves Man City needing to replace arguably the most important structural player of their recent era, with the club already exploring further midfield recruitment.

For Arsenal, meanwhile, the Community Shield provided an early statement of intent. 

Arteta's champions looked sharper, more cohesive and considerably more threatening, while Maresca now has plenty to address before Man City's Premier League campaign begins.

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