Arsenal vs. Manchester City: Key takeaways from a one-sided Community Shield match

Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 on Sunday in the Community Shield to get its 2026-27 season off to a trophy-winning start.

Italian full back Riccardo Calafiori opened the scoring just 30 seconds into the match after latching onto a perfectly-timed ball from English midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly. Greek striker Christos Tzolis and German striker Kai Havertz combined for a second goal later in the half, and Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard sealed the match just after halftime with a well-taken third.

It was an utterly dominant performance that pointed to Arsenal's hunger for serious silverware in 2026-27.

Here are the key takeaways from the unofficial opener of the English soccer calendar:

Manchester City isn't prepared for Rodri's departure

When the starting lineups for this fixture dropped, the big news wasn't who was available; it was who wasn't. World Cup Golden Ball winner Rodri wasn't in City's game day squad (and, in fact, didn't even travel to the match in the first place). Rodri's absence seems to confirm his departure to Barcelona after seven successful seasons in Manchester ... and that's bad news for new City coach Enzo Maresca.

Without Rodri, Maresca's City midfield looked utterly toothless. The partnership of Mateo Kovacic (a longtime Rodri backup who never quite proved himself as a starter under Pep Guardiola and certainly didn't change that narrative here) and Elliot Anderson (a new signing from Nottingham Forest who will need time to adjust to his new environment) simply couldn't handle Arsenal's pressure in the middle of the park. 

There are credible rumors that Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez might be on his way over to City to fill in for Rodri's absence. This game might encourage Chelsea to add another few zeros to his already-inflated price tag — City is clearly desperate for his services.

Myles Lewis-Skelly might be in Arsenal's long-term plans after all

Versatile Arsenal prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly has been the subject of several transfer rumors, but his performances in the team's preseason — and his key role in the starting 11 here at the Community Shield — threw cold water all over them. Where City's midfield struggled, Arsenal's midfield thrived, and Lewis-Skelly was a big part of why.

There's still plenty of time left in the English transfer window; Lewis-Skelly's career may yet take him away from North London. But if he stays, Arsenal fans should rejoice: he's got the goods to be a strong impact player for the team.