ARSENAL made the perfect start to the new season by dismantling Manchester City.
The Gunners were worthy winners in Cardiff, which will fill them with confidence going into the new campaign.
Arsenal won the Community Shield in Cardiff on Saturday afternoon Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
They dismantled last season’s title rivals Man City 3-0 Credit: Getty
And there were plenty of positives for Mikel Arteta to take from the Community Shield going into Friday’s Prem opener against Coventry.
Lewis-Skelly brilliance
ARSENAL want to make some sales before the transfer window shuts – but surely they cannot let Myles Lewis-Skelly go?The midfielder, 19, is attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
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And given that he would go down as pure profit on Arsenal’s accounts, you can understand why the Gunners may be tempted to cash in.
But MLS showed in this resounding victory why the Gunners could regret letting him go.
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It took less than a minute for the teenager to make his point, setting up Riccardo Calafiori for the opening goal with a lovely disguised pass.
Arteta’s side are so often criticised for being too passive in possession, and MLS is someone who can stop that.
Few players are as positive on the ball and that early assist set the tone for a commanding display in the middle of the park.
He completed 30 of his 32 passes before coming off with 15 minutes of the game to go.
Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed for Arsenal amid rumours of a potential exit Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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The travelling Arsenal fans gave the Hale End academy graduate a great reception when he did leave the field.
They have made it clear they want the midfielder to stay put. The question is if Arsenal feel the same way.
Captain fantastic
OFF the back of a season that was derailed by injuries, this was the perfect way for Martin Odegaard to start the new campaign.
The Norwegian looked sharp in the No10 role for the Gunners, capping a fine performance by scoring their third goal.
It was a classy finish from the Arsenal captain, who sat Gianluigi Donnarumma down with a deft dummy before slotting the ball home.
Whether Odegaard would have the confidence to do that trick when the season properly gets underway, only he can say.
But either way, the attacking midfielder’s display was a major plus for Arsenal.
The Norwegian never really got going last term as knee and shoulder injuries disrupted him.
A good showing at this summer’s World Cup appears to have rejuvenated Odegaard, though, and he finally looks back to full fitness.
On his day, there is no question that he can be one of the best playmakers in the Prem.
Captain Martin Odegaard bagged Arsenal’s third Credit: Alamy
And the way he combined with debutant, Brumo Guimaraes, in the heart of midfield bodes well for the future.
There is a long way to go, but this was at least a promising sign that Arsenal’s captain could be about to rediscover his best form.
Who needs Vini?
ARSENAL fans still pining for Vinicius Junior will have taken heart from Christos Tzolis’ performance against City.
The Gunners remain in the market for a left winger after missing out on the Real Madrid star.
But in the interim, Tzolis looks ready to step up and in Cardiff showed why the Gunners paid £34million to sign him from Club Brugge this summer.
The Greek winger marked his debut for Arsenal in style by claiming two assists.
He registered 23 in the Belgian Pro League last season, and those numbers were a big reason why Arteta pushed to sign him.
The Gunners’ left flank lacked meaningful output last season and Gabriel Martinelli scored one goal in 30 Prem appearances.
The Brazilian looks set to leave – and it felt telling that both he and Ethan Nwaneri were not in the squad for this showdown with City.
New signing Christos Tzolis also impressed Credit: Getty
The Arsenal boss can say whatever he likes about how highly he rates the duo, but actions speak louder than words.
Martinelli has turned down a move to Galatasaray, however Napoli have now joined the race for him.
AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Fulham and RB Leipzig are all keen on Nwaneri, who may go on loan.
