Arteta on Community Shield thrashing of Man City: This performance is our benchmark for the new season

Mikel Arteta emphasised that the level Arsenal displayed in their 3-0 thrashing of Manchester City in Sunday's Community Shield must serve as the benchmark for the new season.

The Gunners seized control from the first whistle. Just 23 seconds into the game, Riccardo Calafiori finished off an assist from Myles Lewis-Skelly to score the fastest goal in the competition's history since 1968. In the 28th minute, Kai Havertz doubled the lead. Three minutes into the second half, captain Martin Ødegaard netted the third goal, sealing the contest.

Manchester City fielded Erling Haaland and new midfield signing Elliot Anderson, who joined this summer for £116 million (approximately $1.57 billion), but they never truly threatened Arsenal throughout the match at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

"We said we wanted to start the season with hunger and show ourselves our desire to win," Arteta said. "Against a top side, I saw many positives. That is credit to the pre-season and to the decisions the players made after the World Cup — to train, come back early and get embedded in our system."

"They really valued the trophy because we earned the right to be here through our efforts last year, and the opponent was Manchester City in London. I was impressed by the way we played, especially the competitive attitude. That is our benchmark. As long as we stay at this level, I am confident we will be very competitive."

After leaving Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus out of the matchday squad, Arteta once again urged the Premier League to allow clubs larger squad sizes.

"I am always trying to convince the Premier League and the clubs that we should increase the number of players available, especially outfield players, because the schedule keeps getting more packed and the workload on players is beyond imagination," Arteta said. "It is very frustrating not being able to give these players minutes — perhaps there will be a moment when you need a specific player's attribute, but he cannot play."

"It is a real pity, and it is one of the toughest parts of this job."

Arsenal will open their Premier League campaign at the Emirates Stadium on Friday against Coventry City.