Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown has said the Gunners made a real statement of intent after thrashing Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Arsenal eased to a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Cardiff curtain-raiser, securing the joint-biggest Community Shield win this century.
Goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard did the damage for the Premier League champions, while debutant Christos Tzolis impressed with two assists.
Keown was impressed by a punishing performance from Mikel Arteta’s side, who he said ‘let the handbrake off’ at the Principality Stadium.
He said the performance serves as a warning to potential title rivals that Arsenal remain the team to beat this season.
“People are saying Arsenal maybe didn’t let the handbrake off last season often enough. Well, they let it off today,” Keown told TNT Sports.
“The gap between the two teams, it was quite stunning to see Man City, the body language with the players and manager, they looked a bit lifeless as a group.
“I think Arsenal have made a real statement of intent with that performance. The bigger problem for Arteta now is, who do you pick?”
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