Arsenal outgun City with dominant display in Community Shield
Gunners stamp their Premier League title credentials early with second trophy in three months, while new signing Alexis Sanchez impresses
Arsenal delivered a rousing demonstration of their Premier League title credentials by overwhelming league champions Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.
Buoyed by last season's FA Cup success over Hull City, Arsene Wenger's side took charge with first-half goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey before substitute Olivier Giroud added a glorious long-range third.
The shield is their second trophy in three months and bodes well for the season ahead.
With £30 million (HK$390 million) new signing Alexis Sanchez also impressing on a sunny afternoon in northwest London, Arsenal's fans will hope it proves the precursor to a sustained title challenge, after seeing their side fall away last season.
Victory in the traditional season curtain-raiser - which witnessed the first use of vanishing spray in English football - suggests Arsenal are in fine fettle ahead of their opening league fixture at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.