Arsenal eased to a 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium to claim the first silverware of the new season.
Mikel Arteta's side made the perfect start when Riccardo Calafiori fired home inside the opening minute after just 23 seconds. Kai Havertz doubled the advantage in the 28th minute, before captain Martin Odegaard wrapped up the win with a third shortly after the interval.
For Enzo Maresca, there will be plenty to ponder after his first competitive match in charge following his taking of the reins in the summer, with just a week remaining before the Premier League season gets under way.
Daily Mail Sport's Arsenal reporter Isaan Khan and Manchester City reporter Jack Gaughan were at the Principality Stadium to assess player performances and deliver their verdicts.
Calafiori and Havertz strike early in Cardiff
Arsenal opened the scoring in the first minute when Myles Lewis-Skelly produced a sublime pass between two Manchester City players to set Calafiori on his way to score a neat finish after 23 seconds.
Havertz added Arsenal's second goal in the 28th minute, bundling home his header under Gianluigi Donnarumma. Left winger Christos Tzolis provided the cross after running off defender Abdukodir Khusanov unchecked in the build-up, following a sharp cross from Odegaard earlier in the move.
Odegaard wrapped up the victory with a third goal shortly after the second-half restart. Tzolis recorded two assists in a spirited showing, proving he will not give up his place easily as Arsenal search for another left winger.
Arsenal player ratings as Odegaard runs the show
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta earned a 9/10 rating after getting his team selection spot on while being able to avoid starting all his big guns in a very promising performance.
Goalkeeper David Raya received an 8/10 rating. Raya made a good low save to deny Erling Haaland after 20 minutes by dropping down quickly, showing that Arsenal are a different team with him in goal.
Right-back Ben White scored 7.5/10 after making good overlaps, which is often his best work, demonstrating a promising resurgence after being plagued by injuries in recent years. Gabriel scored 7.5/10, looking very much up for the fight with Haaland as a keen target following their battle in Norway's win over Brazil at the World Cup. Cristhian Mosquera received a 7/10 rating, stepping up to the task when left one-on-one with Haaland and using his pace to keep up with the Norwegian.
Calafiori earned 7.5/10 for his early goal and for taking up great positions in the final third that cause teams problems. In midfield, captain Martin Odegaard earned the match-high rating of 9/10 after running the show in a real captain's display, delivering a sharp cross in the build-up to Havertz's header and scoring the third goal.
Bruno Guimaraes received a 7/10 rating after charging around with intent, looking to move the ball forward, and refusing to shy away from challenges before being replaced by Declan Rice at the 46-minute mark. Rice earned a 7/10 rating for his second-half display. Myles Lewis-Skelly scored 7/10 for an offensively minded display highlighted by his sublime pass for the opener, before Martin Zubimendi came on for him in the 75th minute.
Noni Madueke recorded a 5.5/10 rating after having a lot of the ball in the first half but lacking end product and execution, before Bukayo Saka replaced him in the 60th minute to earn a 7/10 rating. Kai Havertz earned a 7/10 rating for bundling home his header, holding the ball up well, and running the channels before Viktor Gyokeres came on for him in the 75th minute. Piero Hincapie also received a 7 rating after replacing Calafiori in the 60th minute.
City ratings drop as Maresca debut ends in frustration
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca received a 5/10 rating after a limp display to start his reign. Maresca looked frustrated at City's lack of impetus on the ball and ditched the idea of wingers staying high and wide as City never looked like challenging.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma scored 5/10, as he should have done better with Arsenal's second goal by parrying into the net rather than putting a strong arm on Havertz's header, alongside some shaky moments on the ball. Abdukodir Khusanov received a 4.5/10 rating after being hugely culpable for Havertz's goal by letting Tzolis run off him unchecked, while remaining unusually tentative all game.
Ruben Dias scored 5/10 after struggling with runners in behind and committing to aerial duels that he lost, leaving City in trouble on the break. Josko Gvardiol received a 5/10 rating due to really poor distribution out from the back, giving the ball away far too many times and reacting too slowly to Odegaard's run for the third goal.
Right-back Nico O'Reilly earned a 6/10 rating, showing rustiness after joining up with the squad on Wednesday but dealing with Madueke without much help from elsewhere, providing useful minutes before Marc Guehi replaced him in the 54th minute to score 6/10. Midfielder Elliot Anderson scored 5.5/10, needing more dynamism next to him and appearing short on match practice following his post-World Cup break, before Rico Lewis replaced him in the 59th minute to earn a 6.5/10 rating.
Mateo Kovacic scored a 4.5/10 rating after failing to show enough bite and lacking physicality to cover ground defensively, pointing to why City are looking at doing additional business in midfield. Nico Gonzalez replaced Kovacic in the 79th minute. Phil Foden earned a 5/10 rating, failing to show strength against Lewis-Skelly on the first goal and flitting in and out despite one dangerous effort, before Rayan Cherki replaced him in the 60th minute to earn a 6.5/10 rating.
Antoine Semenyo scored 6/10 after moving to the right wing following a strong pre-season on the left, producing a couple of bright moments and a late shot. Jeremy Doku received a 6.5/10 rating as City's most threatening player, going at his marker and driving forward to varying success before Jack Grealish replaced him at half-time to score 6/10.
Erling Haaland received a 5.5/10 rating during an overwhelmingly frustrating afternoon against highly motivated Arsenal central defenders, with his one proper sight of goal brilliantly denied by Raya. Omar Marmoush replaced Haaland in the 53rd minute, earning a 5.5/10 rating.
Domestic campaign launches ahead of league kickoff
The Community Shield serves as the traditional season opener in English football, bringing together the reigning Premier League champions and their primary domestic challengers.
Both clubs now turn their attention to the start of the Premier League campaign, which begins in one week.
