Manchester City and Arsenal are set to collide in the 2026 Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, with the FA Cup holders City targeting their first-ever triumph over the Gunners in this fixture.

A familiar rivalry renewed

The match revisits the 2023 edition of the English curtain-raiser, a game Arsenal won on penalties under Mikel Arteta against Pep Guardiola's side. History is firmly on the Gunners' side — Arsenal have faced City three times in the Community Shield and have won every single one.

Their first meeting came in 1934, when Arsenal ran out emphatic 4-0 winners. The pair then met again in 2014, with goals from Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, and Olivier Giroud sealing a comfortable 3-0 Arsenal victory. Most recently, in 2023, the Gunners prevailed again — this time via a 4-1 penalty shootout after the game finished 1-1. City, then, are chasing a piece of history in Cardiff.

Pre-season form

Arteta's Arsenal head into the match with mixed preparation. After a behind-closed-doors win over MK Dons, the Gunners took just one victory from four official friendlies, though Borussia Dortmund and Como were both beaten on spot kicks. It is far from the ideal tune-up for a competitive match.

City's route to Cardiff came via a 2026 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea. New manager Enzo Maresca oversaw an unbeaten pre-season for the Citizens — excluding penalty defeats — with highlights including back-to-back 3-1 wins over a K-League XI and Atletico Madrid. Omar Marmoush scored twice in the latter, filling in for an absent Erling Haaland.

Team news

Arsenal's defensive injury list casts a shadow over their preparations. Jurrien Timber is sidelined with a groin problem for several weeks, while William Saliba's back injury is expected to keep him out for months. Despite those absences, Arteta has his wider squad available — including players returning from World Cup duty — though Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Zubimendi are unlikely to start having had no pre-season minutes.

David Raya, who saved two penalties in midweek, is expected to start in goal ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga. £75 million signing Bruno Guimaraes is also fit and ready for a first full appearance after coming off the bench against Como.

For City, Haaland has returned to training but, like his Arsenal counterparts, lacks match sharpness and should begin the afternoon on the bench. Maresca may also be without Savinho, who missed sessions this week through illness, and Tijjani Reijnders, who is on the verge of a £52 million move to the Saudi Pro League. Rodri remains absent following back surgery, leaving Nico Gonzalez and Mateo Kovacic to anchor the midfield. New arrival Elliot Anderson is not yet ready to start.