3 winners (and 4 losers) from Arsenal humiliating Man City in the Community Shield

Arsenal got off to the best possible start of the season. At their first chance of winning silverware, they won it with flying colours.

Within less than half a minute, Arsenal set the tempo of the game by taking the lead via Riccardo Calafiori. After that, Arsenal were tested a few times, but they never really looked like losing the match. Further goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard wrapped that up.

Arsenal certainly had more winners than losers, but let's take a look at those in either camp.

Winners & losers from Arsenal's Community Shield victory over Man City

Winner #1 - Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard is back, and he's back with vengeance.

After a relatively poor showing last season, many were doubting if he was fit for captaincy or, even more extreme, fit to play for Arsenal.

However, he was one of the standout players at the World Cup as he and Erling Haaland won the hearts of many for Norway.

With three dribbles completed (the most of any player on the pitch) and a heat map that shows he was all over the pitch, Odegaard is very much back to his best. Let's hope he kicks on this season as he left off last season.

Loser #2 - Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino had a great World Cup with Spain, but it's hard to see him getting a genuine runout at Arsenal this season.

He was never a sure starter for the club, which is why he was always bound to suffer when Bruno Guimaraes was announced as a signing.

He can play as a midfielder or a striker, but to be completely honest, it's looking rather unrealistic for him in either position. Odegaard was a winner in midfield, which makes him a loser in that regard. Also, Kai Havertz was a winner in attack, which makes him a loser there, too.

Speaking of...

Winner #2 - Kai Havertz

It's always him.

If it's a big occasion, you start Kai Havertz. That's like saying you have salt with pepper, peanut butter with jam, pineapple with pizza. You know, those undeniable partnerships that cause no controversies whatsoever.

Havertz is at the top of the pecking order at centre-forward for Arsenal, so far. It remains to be seen whether a new CF is signed, but until then, Havertz continues to give Arteta full confidence in this position.

Loser #2 - Martin Zubimendi

In the same manner as Mikel Merino, fellow World Cup winner Martin Zubimendi is falling out of favour at Arsenal.

Last season, he was dishevelled. He looked run into the ground, and this benefited absolutely nobody. With interest circling his name, Arsenal may wish to cash in before it's too late.

After all, the Community Shield proved that Arsenal have two untouchable midfielders. One was Martin Odegaard, the other was...

Winner #3 - Myles Lewis-Skelly

Within less than half a minute, Myles Lewis-Skelly proved that he means business. He played a pinpoint through ball to Riccardo Calafiori to kick the game off.

An overhated player last season, Lewis-Skelly fell out of the limelight. However, with a full summer of rest, he will be key to Arsenal in their opening few games in that new position of his.

Loser #3 - Gabriel Martinelli

Didn't even play the match, but with interest around his name right now, that's probably why. In his absence. new Arsenal signing Christos Tzolis got off to a flying start, providing two assists.

Unlike Martinelli, Tzolis is able to enter those dangerous zones, and he is a real talisman, both in terms of goals and assists. Unfortunately, it's looking less and less likely that Martinelli stays at Arsenal, but time will tell in that regard.

Loser #4 - Ethan Nwaneri

Nowhere to be seen, despite being involved in pre-season.

As painful as this is to admit, Nwaneri is a departure waiting to happen. At this rate, Arsenal should probably sell him rather than loan him. That won't be nice for some fans to hear, and it's not to write, either. As a club that has simply sucked at selling players due to sentimentality, now is the time to be real.

Bonus loser #5 - Declan Rice

We very rarely get to criticise Declan Rice, so let us jump at the chance.

Considering he's lifted a Community Shield before, he clearly hasn't learnt his lesson in the dynamics of the silverware. He's probably got a sore head this morning.

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