Arsenal 3-0 Man City

ARSENAL inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Premier League champions Manchester City yesterday afternoon to lift the FA Community Shield at Wembley.

Back at the scene of their FA Cup triumph, the Gunners tore into a lacklustre City side — which saw Willy Caballero start in goal ahead of Joe Hart — and were in control by half-time through well-worked goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey, whose extra-time winner had beaten Hull on May 17 to end a nine-season trophy drought.

Substitute Olivier Giroud cracked home a third goal from 25 yards on the hour as City were subdued, but both rival managers Manuel Pellegrini and Arsene Wenger will know full well much sterner tests lie ahead before they hand out the honours again in nine months’ time.

Arsenal made most of the early running, as Sanchez combined well with Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal were ahead after 21 minutes. Sanogo and Wilshere worked some space at the edge of the City penalty area, before the England man was upended by Dedryck Boyata.

The ball broke left to Cazorla, who sidestepped Clichy before sliding a low shot back across Caballero and into the far corner.

City showed a bit more invention as the first half drew towards a close, but lacked any real penetration in the final third.

Arsenal doubled their lead after 42 minutes with a goal from Ramsey.

And on the hour Giroud  (pictured) cracked in a sublime third for the Gunners.

There seemed little on for the France forward when he picked the ball up some 25 yards from goal, surrounded by three defenders. But that did not matter as Giroud promptly fired in a rising effort which nicked off Matija Nastasic and into the roof of the net.

The closing stages were low key, but the result will buoy Arsenal fans ahead of the start of the season next week.