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Community Shield match
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Aug 16 in Cardiff. It marks Enzo Maresca's first competitive game as City boss after Guardiola.
Background
The Community Shield is the traditional curtain-raiser for the English top-flight season, contested between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners. This year, Arsenal (Premier League champions) face Manchester City (FA Cup holders) at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, as Wembley is unavailable. The match also marks the start of a new era for City, with Enzo Maresca taking charge for the first time in a competitive match following Pep Guardiola's departure.
How it unfolded
- 1908The Community Shield (then Charity Shield) was founded, with Manchester United winning the first title.
- Aug 12, 2026Mitre unveils the Ultimax Pro match ball for the 2026 FA Community Shield.
- Aug 16, 2026Arsenal and Manchester City meet in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with kickoff at 3pm BST (10am ET).
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The FA and Premier League confirm the match details, including venue and kickoff time.
- Analysts
- NBC Sports predicts a 1-1 draw with City winning on penalties, citing player fitness concerns.
- Support
- Arsenal fans note their team's five consecutive Community Shield wins and unbeaten record against City in this fixture.
- Caution
- Observers highlight that both managers may limit minutes for stars returning from post-World Cup breaks, making the outcome uncertain.