Arsenal face Man City in Community Shield as Maresca begins new era

The 2026/27 football season kicks off this Sunday with the Community Shield clash between Arsenal and Manchester City at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The match pits last season's Premier League champions, Arsenal, against a Manchester City side embarking on a new chapter under manager Enzo Maresca, who takes over from Pep Guardiola.

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The best version of us has to be on Sunday, and that’s the intention: that we have the best performance and the best way to start the season, by lifting the first trophy.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal aims to begin the campaign by securing silverware, while Maresca, previously Guardiola's under-21 manager, seeks to make an immediate impact in his first competitive match. City's squad has seen significant turnover during the summer, with key players like Bernardo Silva departing for Real Madrid, and others such as John Stones and Manuel Akanji also leaving. Nathan Ake has moved to Fenerbahce, Tijjani Reijnders is reportedly heading to Al Qadsiah, and goalkeeper James Trafford has joined Leeds United. The club's major acquisition so far is Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson for a reported British-record fee of £116 million.

Arsenal faces its own challenges, with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber sidelined due to injury. Saliba is recovering from a back issue, and Timber remains out with a groin injury. However, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Zubimendi have returned to training and may feature. Manchester City could also be without several players who participated in recent international tournaments. Rodri will miss the game following minor back surgery, and Ryan McAidoo is out with a shoulder injury.

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For me personally, it is a trophy. When trophies and a final are there, you always try to win the game, so no friendly game at all.

Despite the squad adjustments and injury woes, both managers are focused on starting the season strongly. Arteta expressed confidence in his players' readiness, stating, "The best version of us has to be on Sunday, and that’s the intention: that we have the best performance and the best way to start the season, by lifting the first trophy." Maresca views the match as a genuine opportunity for silverware, asserting, "For me personally, it is a trophy. When trophies and a final are there, you always try to win the game, so no friendly game at all." He acknowledged Arsenal's consistent performance and stated City's intention to "close the gap and try to compete again."

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Arsenal have shown in the last five years that they have always been there. It’s a fantastic team, well managed by Mikel. Last year they won the Premier League; they showed how good they are at this moment, but at the same time, we are City and we are going to try to close the gap and try to compete again.