The Community Shield saw FA cup holders Arsenal run out 3-0 winners over Premier League champions Manchester City at Wembley.
Santi Cazorla fired Arsenal in front with an expertly executed finish whilst Aaron Ramsey smashed home a second just before half time.
Olivier Giroud completed the rout with a stunning long-range strike over Willy Caballero.
It was a very impressive team display from the North London side who looked solid at the back, dangerous going forward and were rarely troubled by their Premier League rivals.
City, however, offered an extremely flat performance and Manuel Pellegrini made no effort to hide his frustration on the touchline.
Calum Chambers, Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy all made their competitive debuts for Arsenal whilst Fernando and Caballero made their first starts for City.
City were missing some key players such as Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta so Pellegrini won’t be too concerned by how easily his side were dismantled.
Arsenal were also without World Cup winners Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil and will be delighted to have performed so ably without them.
The result should give them a big boost for their match against Crystal palace next weekend but City will need to recover confidence before their opener against Newcastle.
Arsenal started the brighter and Mathieu Debuchy was particularly impressive down the right hand side in the opening exchanges.
Samir Nasri, the former Arsenal player, was verbally abused every time he touched the ball by Arsenal fans.
He almost silenced their jeers in the 13th minute but Calum Chambers was quick to block his goal-bound effort.
It was Arsenal, however, who deservedly took the lead in the 22nd minute through Santi Cazorla.
The Spaniard evaded Gael Clichy on the edge of the City area before firing a low left footed strike into the corner of Caballero’s goal.
Yaya Sanogo, who scored four goals in a pre-season friendly against Benfica, had a chance to score his first competitive goal for Arsenal but dragged his shot wide.
It was Arsenal who continued to impress and Clichy deflected a long-range Cazorla shot for a corner.
Sanogo had another chance from the resulting corner but his header landed comfortably in Caballero’s arms.
City almost equalised five minutes before half time after Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic combined well during a quick break, but a swarm of Arsenal defenders managed to block.
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey scored moments later, however, to double their advantage. Sanogo held up the ball well in the box and fed Ramsey who smashed the ball past Caballero.
Alexis Sanchez had an opportunity to make it three at the end of the first half but Caballero was quickly out of his area to slide at Alexis’ feet and deny him.
David Silva, Nacho Monreal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Giroud were introduced at half time for Nasri, Alexis, Laurent Koscielny and Sanogo.
Fernando was booked early in the second half for pulling Jack Wilshire to the ground.
Jovetic came agonisingly close moments later after rising over Debuchy to thump a header against the post.
City had begun the second half much brighter than the first and Wojciech Szczesny was finally called into action to deny Jovetic, who fired a stinging shot towards the keeper’s right hand post.
James Milner and Bruno Zuculini were then introduced by Pellegrini to replace Edin Dzeko and Yaya Toure.
Giroud scored an absolute screamer with his left foot from outside the area and bent it over Caballero to give Arsenal a three-goal advantage.
Jovetic, who was City’s most creative attacking force, attempted an elaborate overhead kick but it flew comfortably over the bar.
Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky were then called upon by Wenger to replace Wilshire and Cazorla.
Micah Richards came on for Aleksandar Kolarov as substitutions began to disrupt the flow of the game.
Jesus Navas was also withdrawn for Scott Sinclair and Aaron Ramsey replaced by Joel Campbell; Arsene Wenger’s final substitution.
Dedryck Boyata had a great opportunity to grab a consolation for City but his header from a corner went wide.
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