Odegaard scores on return as Arsenal demolish City 3-0 in Community Shield

Martin Odegaard scored his first Arsenal goal since December as the Premier League champions dismantled Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday, delivering an early statement of intent ahead of their title defence.

The result reversed Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to City and handed new City manager Enzo Maresca a difficult start to his tenure following his summer appointment as Pep Guardiola’s successor.

Odegaard, who was restricted to just 16 league starts last season due to a succession of knee, shoulder and muscle problems, reflected candidly on a difficult personal campaign that nonetheless ended with his first major honour since joining Arsenal in 2021.

“Last year was really a big struggle with a lot of difficult moments,” the Norwegian said after the final whistle. “It is the worst thing for a footballer to not be able to be on the pitch and I had quite a lot of weird injuries, and bad luck.”

The Arsenal captain missed the Carabao Cup final defeat against City among several absences, but drew motivation from finishing the season with a Premier League winner’s medal and a positive World Cup campaign. “What I have just worked on is to use that as motivation for this year and to come back stronger,” he added.

Odegaard also spoke warmly about the immediate impact of new signing Bruno Guimaraes, who joined from Newcastle in a £75m deal and featured prominently in midfield. “Since the first day he came in, it has been such a natural thing,” Odegaard said. “He can win the ball, he’s a fighter. But he also has so much quality and is calm on the ball. The connection is already there — it has been really easy.”

With ambitions extending beyond a second consecutive league title, Odegaard was clear about the squad’s collective goals. “Of course, last year we won the league, but this year we want more. We want to do it again in the league and then there are the other trophies.”

For City, the defeat was compounded by news that the club has accepted a £65.4m bid from Barcelona for Spain midfielder Rodri. Defender Ruben Dias acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, saying: “It is the beginning of the season, it is not good enough. It’s part of any transition for things to be not so perfect in the beginning. You need to push through, you need to communicate, and make things work between us.”