A devastating start in Cardiff

Arsenal began the season with a resounding victory against Manchester City in the Community Shield, winning 3-0 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Riccardo Calafiori's early goal at 23 seconds set the course of the match, followed by goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard. With this victory, the Gunners reached their 18th title in the competition, consolidating a perfect streak in their last six participations. The result not only boosts the team's confidence but also sends a clear message of ambition ahead of the Premier League's start.

Odegaard returns to scoring and sets the team's rhythm.

The Norwegian captain broke a 20-match official goal drought and celebrated his first goal since last December against Brighton. After the match, Odegaard was emphatic: "We wanted to start here with the first trophy. We played brilliant football, it was a great performance and a great way to start the season. We showed that we are ready, that we are serious, that we want to repeat, and that there are more trophies to win." The midfielder highlighted that the goal restores his confidence and reaffirmed his commitment to contributing with goals, assists, and leadership on the field.

Reinforcements that excite

The victory also highlighted the immediate impact of the new signings. Bruno Guimarães took control of the midfield and received praise from Odegaard: "He has been incredible from the very first moment. He feels like a natural part of the team. You can see his quality, he's very good with the ball, but he's also a fighter; he wins the ball. He was enormous." For his part, Christos Tzolis surprised with two assists in his debut, a record not seen since Willian in 2020. The captain did not hesitate to acknowledge it: "Christos on the left as well. Two assists and a great performance. Everyone did well."

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