Football is the longest running show in England, making the Mousetrap look like a flash in the pan. And today Arsenal and Manchester United showed just why it is so compelling.

Arsenal's 3-1 victory, courtesy of strikes from Gilberto, Jose Reyes and a Mikael Silvestre own goal, was an impressive matinee peformance from the champions and means both clubs have now won the Shield on 11 occassions

The FA Community Shield is always a tantalising glimpse into how the forthcoming season will pan out and on this occasion it provided plenty to discuss - and plenty for the rest of the Premiership to think about.

Both teams were missing their leading men, with Patrick Vieira injured for Arsenal and Ruud van Nistelrooy out for United. But the understudies proved there is tremendous strength in depth at both clubs and plenty for both sets of fans to look forward to.

Arsenal's 17-year-old Spanish midfielder Francesc Fabregas in particular was a revelation for Arsene Wenger.

He was competitive and skilful in central midfield for the Gunners, and proved he is ready for the Premiership after becoming the club's youngest ever goalscorer last season in the Carling Cup.

We will almost certainly hear more from the youngster as the new campaign continues, and also from fellow Spaniard Jose Reyes who produced a display of outstanding pace and creativity in the Millennium Stadium to be named man of the match.

Manchester United simply could not cope with his speed off the mark and he twice threatened to score 'goal of the season' contenders by dribbling through the entire Red Devils defence.

On the second occasion he looked certain to finish the job, but somehow fired into the side-netting having already rounded goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Undeterred, however, the striker broke free again a minute later - and this time passed low for Gilberto to slide home the opening goal for Arsenal with 49 minutes on the clock.

Arsenal also gave England Under 21 man Jermaine Pennant a chance to shine after a year on loan at Leeds, and he was always in the thick of the action on a good day for the champions - who made light of suggestions that the constant speculation about captain Vieira's future was unsettling the team.

It wasn't all doom and gloom for United, either, because their own newcomer did enough to suggest he will prove a shrewd signing.

England's Alan Smith was handed a chance up front for United having signed from Leeds in the close-season - and certainly made the most of it.

He gave England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson plenty to think about as his all-action style carved out chances and almost set up a goal for Gary Neville after 41 minutes.

Then he rounded off an impressive performance by charging down a ball on the edge of the Arsenal area and thumping home a volley to make it 1-1 in the 55th minute.

Smith is likely to play an important role for United this season, particularly because van Nistelrooy will miss the next month to have a hernia operation. And that can only be good for the Three Lions with Wayne Rooney currently unavailable through injury as the World Cup campaign draws ever closer.

His attitude certainly rubbed off on his teammates in Cardiff because in a competitive game it was clear both teams were determined to make an early impact on the season.

Chelsea may have won most of the headlines this summer by recruiting a new manager and spending millions again in the transfer market. But Arsenal and Manchester United set out to prove they are still the main contenders for silverware in 2004-2005 - and made a good case for themselves.

The pair have shared out the Premiership title for the last decade and to give some indication of their dominance United have featured in 10 out of the last 12 Community Shield fixtures.

It wasn't their day this time, however, because after Reyes had made it 2-1, England defender Ashley Cole finished the job for Arsenal by hitting a low cross that was deflected into the net by Silvestre in the 79th minute.

So, the show is underway and the first act is complete. Now all we want to know is will 2005 be a glorious encore for champions Arsenal - or can United re-write the script? It promises to be quite a drama.