Arsenal v Manchester City: Community Shield Preview
Arsenal open their season against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday 16 August 2026, kicking off at 15:00 BST. It is the fourth time these two have met in under five months, and City have won the last two.
Fixture facts
- Teams: Arsenal v Manchester City
- Competition: Community Shield
- Date: Sunday, 16 August 2026
- Kick-off: 15:00 BST
- Match page: Arsenal vs Manchester City
What time is kick-off for Arsenal v Manchester City?
Kick-off is at 15:00 BST on Sunday 16 August 2026. Reports around the fixture have also referenced the Principality Stadium in Cardiff as the venue, which would take the Community Shield to Wales for the first time in two decades.
What is the head-to-head record between Arsenal and Manchester City?
Manchester City have won both meetings between the sides this year. City won 2-1 at home in the Premier League on 19 April 2026, then beat Arsenal 2-0 away in the EFL Cup on 22 March 2026. Arsenal have not beaten City since before that run, and Sunday is their chance to break it in a fixture that at least carries a trophy, even if it is not one either club will build a season around.
How have Arsenal and Manchester City been playing recently?
Arsenal's pre-season has been chaotic going forward. They beat Girona 4-1 on 1 August, lost 3-1 to Real Betis four days later, then drew 7-7 with Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup on 9 August before edging Como 5-4 on 12 August. Eleven goals conceded across the last two friendlies alone points to defensive issues Mikel Arteta will want sorted before the real season starts, whatever the flattering forward numbers suggest.
City have been tighter. They beat Inter 4-2 on 1 August, the K-League Allstars 3-1 on 5 August and Atlético Madrid 3-1 on 9 August, without the same volume of goals leaking at the other end. Further back, in their last Premier League matches of last season, Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 2-1 and Burnley 1-0, while City lost 2-1 to Aston Villa and drew 1-1 at Bournemouth. Arsenal also lost 5-4 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on 30 May, their heaviest scoring loss of the run-in.
Team news
Arsenal will be without William Saliba, who is carrying a long-term back injury picked up before the World Cup and aggravated in France's semi-final defeat to Spain, and has been ruled out for an extended period. Jurrien Timber and Louie Copley are also unavailable through injury.
Manchester City will not have Rodri, who had minor back surgery after Spain's World Cup win and is only due back in training this week. Enzo Maresca has had Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and Rayan Cherki all back in training in the build-up, giving him a fuller squad to pick from than Arteta.
Make your call
Two wins from two for Manchester City this year, a leakier Arsenal defence in pre-season, and a fresh centre-back injury to work around. That is the shape of the game before either manager names a team.
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Sources: - Arsenal gets Community Shield boost as Man City star could miss game - Just Arsenal News - Man City injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Arsenal - Sports Mole - Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Man City - Sports Mole