Arsenal put Manchester City to the sword enroute to a brilliant 3-0 win in the Community Shield.
Goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard saw the first silverware of the season go the way of Mikel Arteta's side, picking up right from where they left off when winning the Premier League in May.
The Gunners didn't have to wait long to take the lead, either.
Myles Lewis-Skelly produced a stunning assist after just 24 seconds, brilliantly evading a challenge in the centre of the park before threading an inch-perfect ball through to Riccardo Calafiori who finished with aplomb.
It was then the turn of Havertz to get in the scoresheet, the German benefitting from Christos Tzolis' first Arsenal assist after the Greek winger was picked out wonderfully by skipper Odegaard.
It was Odegaard who rounded off the afternoon, remaining composed as he entered the box to commit City 'keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before sliding the ball into a semi-empty net.
Arteta will have been delighted to get the new campaign off to a flyer and are next in action for the beginning of the Premier League season when they welcome newly-promoted Coventry to the Emirates Stadium.
Unsurprisingly, the Gunners are short-priced favourites to overhaul Frank Lampard's men and they will be itching to get their title defence off to a flyer in front of their home fans.
Arsenal v Manchester City Match Stats
Arsenal | 3-0 | Manchester City |
41% | Possession | 59% |
2.19 | Expected Goals (xG) | 0.77 |
9 | Shots | 12 |
5 | Shots on Target | 5 |
4 | Goalkeeper Saves | 2 |
4 | Big Chances | 1 |
2 | Corners | 4 |
413 | Total Passes | 582 |
85% | Pass Accuracy | 89% |
16 | Tackles | 11 |
16 | Clearances | 15 |
2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
