A solid starting point for Gunners

Arsenal 3 Manchester City 0

Arsene Wenger knows better than to read too much into the outcome of the Community Shield, but yesterday’s convincing victory — secured by goals from Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud — ensures the manager can look forward to the start of the Premier League satisfied his team is taking shape and remain buoyed by May’s FA Cup success.

Twelve months ago it was a very different story, with the manager’s failure to strengthen his squad prompting criticism that intensified when the Gunners lost their opening league game 3-1 at home to Aston Villa.