Arsenal is preparing for the upcoming Community Shield match against Manchester City, which will open the 2026/27 season. The fixture is scheduled to take place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, where Arsenal aims to secure early silverware.
Having been crowned Premier League champions last season, Arsenal earned the right to face FA Cup winners Manchester City in the traditional curtain-raiser for the English football season. This marks a return to the Millennium Stadium for Arsenal, who previously defeated City on penalties in the 2023 edition of the Community Shield.
Training and squad updates
Preparations for the match have been underway at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. Club photographer Stuart MacFarlane captured images of the team’s training sessions ahead of the contest.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed satisfaction with the squad’s readiness, noting that players have returned refreshed and motivated. He highlighted the team’s hunger for the trophy, stating that the best version of Arsenal needs to be on display for Sunday’s match.
The close season has also brought fresh competition within the squad. Bruno Guimarães, who came off the bench in a friendly against Como, could be involved in midfield, potentially alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly. Guimarães has been prominent in pre-season, especially after Declan Rice, Martín Zubimendi, and Martin Ødegaard were given extended breaks following the World Cup.
The left side of Arsenal’s attack is an area that has seen changes. Christos Tzolis, a 24-year-old Greece international from Club Brugge, was signed. The Community Shield offers an opportunity to assess how Tzolis integrates into the team and whether further options are needed on that flank.
Manchester City’s new era
Manchester City enters the season with a new manager, Enzo Maresca, following a decade under Pep Guardiola. Maresca, who previously led Leicester to promotion and won the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup with Chelsea, faces questions regarding his impact on the team’s style of play.
For City, a significant personnel issue revolves around the future of Rodri, whose proposed move to Barcelona has not yet materialised. This situation leaves City considering potential replacements, with Enzo Fernández appearing as a preferred candidate. The team has also signed Elliot Anderson.
In midfield, Tijjani Reijnders is on his way to Al-Qadsiah, and Bernardo Silva has joined Real Madrid, indicating a substantial overhaul. Phil Foden, who started friendlies against Inter and Atlético, has an opportunity to reassert himself as others recover from the World Cup.
The departure of John Stones, who started 11 games over the past two seasons, may have less impact from a footballing perspective but could affect the dressing room leadership. With Stones, Silva, and Guardiola no longer with the team, the squad’s character is expected to be different.
The Community Shield provides an initial chance to evaluate both Arsenal’s continued drive after winning the title and how Manchester City is adapting under their new manager. However, any conclusions drawn from this largely ceremonial occasion should be approached with caution, as the winners of the Community Shield have not gone on to win the Premier League since 2018.
Arteta emphasised the team’s ambition, stating, “The best version of Arsenal has to be on Sunday.”
Source: arsenal.com
