Arsenal's Community Shield Triumph: Ødegaard, Guimarães, and Tzolis Shine

Martin Ødegaard hailed the “natural” influence of Bruno Guimarães and Christos Tzolis after Arsenal tore into Manchester City to lift the Community Shield – and warned that the champions are ready to chase down more silverware this season.

Arsenal ripped through last season’s FA Cup winners in Cardiff, racing into a 3-0 lead inside 48 minutes and playing with the swagger of a side intent on backing up their title win rather than basking in it.

Tzolis, a £34m arrival from Club Brugge, wasted no time announcing himself. The Greek winger slid a precise pass into Kai Havertz for Arsenal’s second, then repeated the trick just after the interval, teeing up Ødegaard to sweep in the third. Two assists on debut, and the holders were out of sight.

Guimarães did not get on the scoresheet, but his impact in midfield was just as striking. Making his first start since a £75m move from Newcastle, the Brazil international controlled the first half before making way for Declan Rice at the break. Ødegaard, who has faced him often enough as an opponent, sounded almost relieved to have him on his side at last.

“Since the first day he came in, it has been such a natural thing,” the Norwegian said. “Although we had some big fights with him in the past, he has just come into the team as a real natural part of the team. And you can see his quality. He can win the ball, he’s a fighter, but he also has so much quality on the ball. He is so calm on the ball. He always takes the right amount of time and he finds the pass. It’s brilliant.

“Christos, as well, it is good to have new players perform like that already.”

For Ødegaard, the afternoon in Cardiff also felt like a personal reset. Last season he started only 16 Premier League games, his campaign chopped up by injuries, and finished with just one league goal. The frustration lingered – until the summer.

A strong World Cup run with Norway, reaching the quarter-finals, helped him rediscover rhythm and confidence. Now 27, he knows this needs to be the year he translates that form back into Arsenal colours.

“Last season, to miss so many games because of injury was really frustrating,” he said. “What I have just worked on is to use that as motivation for this year and to become stronger. And to use all of those experiences in a positive way.

“Obviously, I want to help the team score more goals, get more assists, and all that. It was a good way to start the season.”

The timing could hardly be sharper. Arsenal open their title defence on Friday night away to promoted Coventry, and the captain is clear that the statement made against City must be the standard, not the exception.

“We wanted to show our level,” Ødegaard said of the win over Enzo Maresca’s side. “Of course, last year we won the league. But this year we want more. There is a lot more to play for. We want to do it again in the league and then there are the other trophies. There is a lot to work for and still a lot of room for improvement.”

The Community Shield will not define Arsenal’s season. But with Guimarães already dictating, Tzolis already creating and Ødegaard talking about “more”, it felt less like a curtain-raiser and more like a warning.