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2026 FA Community Shield
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
Sunday, 16 August 2026
16:00
Premier League champions Arsenal and FA Cup winners Manchester City will lock horns in the 2026 FA Community Shield on 16 August.
Head-to-head
Since their first-ever meeting in 1893, Arsenal and Manchester City have met 216 times across all competitions.
Arsenal lead with 100 wins, City have 67 victories, and there have been 49 draws.
However, City won the most recent meeting 2-1 in the Premier League on 19 April 2026.
Team News
Arsenal will be without key defenders William Saliba (back injury sustained at the World Cup) and Jurriën Timber (groin, still weeks away).
Several World Cup returnees including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and David Raya have only just rejoined training.
Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City will miss midfielder Rodri due to recent back surgery.
Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly and new signing Elliot Anderson were given extended leave after going deep into the World Cup and are only expected back in training in the days leading up to the match.
Key Players
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s biggest threat. His pace, dribbling and goal threat from the right make him a constant danger, and his quality and leadership will be vital if the Premier League champions are to lift the first trophy of the season.
Erling Haaland, on the other hand, is one of the most clinical finishers in world football and can trouble any defence when on form and will be key to Manchester City’s chances under their new manager.
Quotes
When asked whether his players will be ready for the Community Shield, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said, "Yes, because we have very different groups within the same time that they are coming back.
"Why? Because some of them they've done more, some others they've done less, some more than they did and almost participated in the World Cup in terms of minutes.
"So they are all very different stages. I want to see as well the way they have looked after themselves, what they said they did and actually what they did and how they look. But I'm sure that will be all positive surprises."
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