Arsenal defeat City to lift Community Shield

Arsenal FC lifted the FA Community Shield after overcoming Manchester City FC 3-0 at Wembley in English football's traditional curtain-raiser.

Looking to clinch the trophy for the first time since 2004, FA Cup winners Arsenal stormed into a two-goal half-time lead against the Premier League champions, courtesy of efforts from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey. With debutants Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Alexis Sánchez in their lineup, the Gunners pushed on after the interval and Olivier Giroud's spectacular effort from range secured the win ahead of next week's league kick-off.

Arsène Wenger's side started the brighter, but there were few clear chances at either end until Spanish international Cazorla found space in the penalty area and skimmed a low, left-footed shot into the corner past Willy Caballero, another newcomer on display. That 21st-minute breakthrough was almost followed up moments later by a second, but Yaya Sanogo shot wide when through on goal. The forward was integral to the creating the second, however, laying off for Ramsey to control and fire in from ten metres.

Stevan Jovetić headed against the post as City responded after the restart, but the game was taken away from the Manchester club just after the hour mark as Giroud rattled a dipping effort into the top corner from 25 metres.