Riccardo Calafiori gave Arsenal a sensational start against Manchester City by scoring just 24 seconds into Sunday’s Community Shield.
Arsenal vs Man City had barely begun in Cardiff when Mikel Arteta’s side punished the FA Cup holders with their first attack of the afternoon.
Myles Lewis-Skelly won possession before threading a superb pass into Calafiori’s path, with the Italian making no mistake from close range to put Arsenal 1-0 ahead.
The goal came after only 24 seconds and immediately sent the Arsenal end inside the Principality Stadium into celebration.
🚨🏴 | GOAL: RICCARDO CALAFIORI OPENS THE SCORING FOR ARSENAL IN JUST 23 SECONDS OF THE GAME! WOW!
Arsenal 1-0 Manchester City. pic.twitter.com/CxlZHAgzUT
— TheGoalsZone (@TheGoalsZone) August 16, 2026
Arsenal vs Man City starts in incredible fashion
Calafiori’s goal could hardly have given Arteta a better start to Arsenal’s first competitive fixture of the 2026/27 campaign.
The 24-year-old started at left-back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White, with Arsenal missing both William Saliba and Jurrien Timber through injury.
Calafiori has shown throughout his time in north London that he can contribute in attacking areas, but few Arsenal supporters could have expected him to make an impact quite this quickly.
The strike also vindicated Arteta’s decision to start Lewis-Skelly in midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal entered the match looking to claim the first available silverware of the new season after winning the Premier League last term.
ReadArsenal looked at the major selection decisions facing Arteta before the game, but it took less than half a minute for one of his calls to pay off.
Manchester City now have to respond after being caught cold by an extraordinary Arsenal opening in Cardiff.
Confirmed Line-Ups: Arsenal vs Manchester City | Community Shield
Confirmed Line-Ups: Arsenal vs Manchester City | Community Shield
Arsenal face Jurrien Timber wait as Arteta confirms fresh injury timeline
Arsenal face Jurrien Timber wait as Arteta confirms fresh injury timeline