We’ve made it, folks! Arsenal start their 2026-27 season in earnest today with the Community Shield against Manchester City. For those of you unaware, the Community Shield is the annual match played the week before the season between the Premier League Champions and the FA Cup winner. The Gunners have won the Shield the second-most of any club in history (17). This is the first time in 22 years they’re in the match by virtue of being PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS.
Today’s match is being held at the Principality (Millennium) Stadium in Cardiff, Wales instead of Wembley in London because Wembley is hosting a The Weeknd concert. The Welsh stadium last hosted the match in 2006 while Wembley was being built.
Throughout the week, Mikel Arteta has referred to today’s match as a “final” so it would seem he’s taking the contest seriously. There’s a trophy for the winner. Starting the season with a win helps build momentum. And I’d wager there is a desire to send a message — to Manchester City and to everybody — that Arsenal are a force.
On the other side of things, it is Enzo Maresca’s first competitive match in charge of Manchester City. Pep Guardiola is not the only familiar face no longer at City. Bernardo Silva is off to Real Madrid. John Stones signed for Inter Milan, as did Manuel Akanji. Nathan Ake joined Fenerbahce. And more changes may be afoot. Rodri is angling for a move to Barcelona. Tijjani Reijnders seems set to move to the Saudi League after just one season.
City’s big incoming transfer (so far) was Elliot Anderson, signed from Nottingham Forest for a then-record £116M. That mark was eclipsed a few days later when Aston Villa sold Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117M.
Arsenal look on track to have their World Cup contingent available for the start of the Premier League season on Friday, August 21st. The England and Spain players have all been pictured in training. I’d expect most or all of them to be at least in the squad today and for some of them to play. William Saliba is out for at least two months and possibly longer as he recovers from a back fracture. Mikel Arteta said Jurrien Timber is “a few weeks” away from returning from a groin problem but is back on the pitch and ramping up his recovery. The Arsenal manager suggested Timber may be back before the international break but that he might not be ready until afterwards.
Lineups will be posted when available.
WHO: Arsenal vs. Manchester City
WHAT: The Community Shield
WHERE: Principality Stadium, Wales
WHEN: Sunday, August 16th 7:00 am PT | 10:00 am ET | 3:00 pm BST
US TV: Broadcast on ESPN. Streaming on ESPN+.
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