Oliver Giroud
Olivier Giroud's goal in the 60th assured Arsenal of a 3-0 win over Manchester City during Sunday's Community Shield. Reuters

If Sunday’s Community Shield victory at Wembley Stadium was any indication, Arsenal could be in line for a terrific upcoming Premier League season. Arsene Wenger’s side controlled the match wire-to-wire and bested defending and short-staffed EPL champions Manchester City 3-0 to claim their first Shield since 2004.

Goals from forward Olivier Giroud and midfielders Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey proved enough of an attack for the Gunners, while Manuel Pellegrini’s side missed the likes of Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany, as well as new signings Frank Lampard and Bacary Sagna, all of whom were deemed unfit. Nevertheless, Arsenal can take great pride in the victory, especially after City trounced them 7-4 in their two matches last term.

It was a match where supporters were hoping to see some scoring from transfer acquisition and striker Alexis Sanchez, who the Gunners acquired for £30 million from Barcelona. While the Chilean was active, Wenger pulled him before the start of the second half.

Both sides were slow to start the match, feeling each other out before Cazorla began the onslaught in the 21st minute. With the ball pinging around the top of City’s penalty area, the 29-year-old Spaniard nailed a left-footed ground strike to the across his body and to the right of the net past keeper Willy Caballero.

Ramsey’s goal would come three minutes before the half. Coming off his four-goal performance in the friendly victory over Benfica, Yaya Sanogo acted as facilitator for Ramsey this time, aiding his right-footed strike in the middle of the penalty for the 2-0 lead.

Ramsey’s didn’t quite have his full impact on the game until he assisted Giroud in the 60th. Accepting a long ball from keeper Wojciech Szczesny, Ramsey found Giroud for the fastbreak and the Frenchman unleashed a deep shot that left Caballero helpless and handed Arsenal the match.

It was an especially deflating loss for City, who managed just a single shot on goal compared to the Gunners' seven.

Arsenal vs Manchester City 3-0 I All Goals...by skymediatv1