Odegaard's importance, Anderson and Foden struggle - how the players rated

What the report says

Arsenal began the season by beating Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium, with BBC Sport’s player ratings focusing on how the match unfolded for both sides. Riccardo Calafiori scored within 30 seconds, Kai Havertz added a second before half-time, and captain Martin Odegaard finished the scoring shortly after the restart. The result gave Arsenal the first silverware of the campaign and underlined their strong start in a meeting between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners.

BBC Sport said Odegaard was Arsenal’s standout performer, highlighting his return to full fitness, his influence in the final third and his role in creating the second goal before scoring the third. Calafiori also received one of the top marks for his goal and all-round attacking threat, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Christos Tzolis were praised for their roles in a dominant team display. Havertz was credited with providing a focal point up front, and Arsenal’s defence was described as keeping Erling Haaland unusually quiet.

For City, the ratings were far more modest. Elliot Anderson and Phil Foden were both noted as struggling to make an impact in midfield and attack, while Jeremy Doku and Haaland were also subdued. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was criticised for looking uncomfortable on the ball and for conceding three times. The report suggested Arsenal were far more settled and sharper in possession, while City looked overrun and short of rhythm in an early-season setback.