Manchester City face Arsenal in the FA Community Shield final, with Pep Guardiola's departure and Enzo Maresca's new challenge. The match will be played on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
What happened?
Arsenal will face Manchester City in the FA Community Shield final, with both teams looking to grab the first silverware of the English football season. Mikel Arteta's side will have the chance to add another trophy to their cabinet, with Arteta having won the Community Shield an impressive four times – twice as a player and twice as a manager.
Why it matters for Manchester City
Tonight's Manchester City team is one in transition, with long-time head coach Pep Guardiola departing. Enzo Maresca has overseen a summer of change, and it remains to be seen if he is up to the task against Arteta, who is currently the longest-serving head coach in the Premier League.
What comes next?
The match will be played on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Manchester City are currently 7 points behind leaders Arsenal in the title race, with a recent form of 1W-2D-2L (LLDDW, most recent first). The team is also dealing with injuries, with Jack Grealish, Rodri, Savinho, and Tijjani Reijnders currently sidelined.
The lineups for the match have been confirmed, with Arsenal's starting XI including David Raya, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard, Bruno Guimaraes, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, and Christos Tzolis. Manchester City's starting XI includes Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O'Reilly, Mateo Kovacic, Elliot Anderson, Antonie Semenyo, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland.
The match will be a tough test for Manchester City, who are looking to bounce back from their recent loss to Aston Villa. With Enzo Maresca at the helm, the team will be looking to prove themselves against a strong Arsenal side.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 2nd in Premier League, 78 pts, 23W-9D-6L from 38 games, recent form LDWWD. Goals this season: 77 scored, 35 conceded (+42 goal difference). Title race: 7 points behind leaders Arsenal. Last result: Manchester City 1-2 Aston Villa (2026-05-24). Recent form (last 5): 1W-2D-2L (LLDDW, most recent first); lost the last 2. Next fixture: vs Coventry (at home, 2026-09-05). Currently sidelined: Jack Grealish, Rodri, Savinho, Tijjani Reijnders.
