Manchester City and Arsenal have confirmed their starting lineups ahead of today’s FA Community Shield clash at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Today’s match represents the opening of the 2026-27 season. Last season’s FA Cup winners will take on the Premier League champions in what should be another tight battle between the two teams.
Today’s match is Enzo Maresca’s first competitive match as the manager of Manchester City. Maresca has had a look at his team across the three friendlies his team has played. However, those three matches saw Erling Haaland, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson, Rayan Cherki, Rodri and Jeremy Doku all ne unavailable after their World Cup exploits. With the exception of Rodri, all of those players are available for today’s match.
Tijjani Reijnders is unlikely to play any role for Manchester City in today’s game. Reijnders is close to completing a permanent move to Al Qadsiah. It is unlikely that he will be included in City’s matchday squad. Savinho is the other player who may not feature today. The Brazilian winger failed to train on Thursday due to illness. He is also pushing for a summer move to Tottenham and if he isn’t named in City’s squad that may be an indication of where Savinho’s future lies.
Here are both teams starting lineups for the FA Community Shield.
Manchester City
Enzo Maresca has selected arguably his strongest available starting eleven for today’s match. Abdukodir Khusanov starts at right-back with Matheus Nunes on the bench. In midfield, Elliot Anderson makes his first start for Manchester City with Mateo Kovacic and Phil Foden joining Anderson in midfield. Up front, Erling Haaland starts with Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo on the wings.
Starting lineup: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly, Mateo Kovacic, Elliot Anderson, Phil Foden, Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland.
Substitutes: Rulli, Guehi, Marmoush, Cherki, Nico, Grealish, Ait-Nouri, Nunes, Lewis.