Arsenal vs Man City Preview: Team News, Expected Lineups and Where to Watch

Arsenal and Manchester City will meet in the 2026 FA Community Shield on Sunday, August 16, in a clash between the winners of last season’s Premier League and FA Cup.

Arsenal enter the match as league champions, while City secured the FA Cup and will seek to start the new campaign with silverware.

The match will be played at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, with kick-off scheduled at 5:00 pm East Africa Time (EAT). The fixture has been moved away from Wembley because the London stadium is hosting Canadian pop star The Weeknd, who has booked five nights at Wembley between August 14 and 19 for his After-Hours Til Dawn Tour.

Arsenal Team News Ahead of the Clash

Arsenal go into the Community Shield after finally ending their long wait for the Premier League title. Mikel Arteta’s side will now attempt to begin their title defense campaign by adding another trophy to their collection.

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Gunners have also strengthened their squad during the transfer window, with Bruno Guimaraes among the major additions.

Arteta received a boost ahead of the match with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi all available. The three players recently returned to training after extended breaks following the World Cup.

However, Arsenal will be without William Saliba, who remains sidelined with a back injury. Jurrien Timber is also still recovering from a groin problem and is not yet ready to return to full training.

Manchester City New Era Under Enzo Maresca

The Community Shield is the first title for Manchester City under Enzo Maresca, who takes charge following Pep Guardiola’s departure.

Maresca arrives with considerable knowledge of City’s football structure, having previously worked within the club’s system before building his managerial career at Chelsea.

City have also made changes to their squad over the summer. Maresca has confirmed that most of his players are fit.

Elliot Anderson moved from Nottingham Forest, Jérémy Monga joined from Leicester City, and Gerónimo Rulli, an Argentine goalkeeper, joined from Marseille on a two-year contract.

The manager will be expected to find the right balance, and Players such as Erling Haaland, Rodri and Phil Foden will be central to City’s attempt to challenge Arsenal.

Expected Lineups and How to Watch in Kenya

The fixture will also renew a recent Community Shield rivalry. In their last meeting in the competition in 2023, Arsenal drew 1-1 with City before winning 4-1 on penalties at Wembley.

Manchester City predicted starting XI.

Maresca is expected to use a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Defense: Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes

Midfield: Elliot Anderson, Mateo Kovačić

Attack: Jérémy Doku, Phil Foden, Antoine Semenyo

Striker: Erling Haaland

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Arsenal predicted starting XI

Arteta is expected to use the 4-2-3-1 formation.

Goalkeeper: David Raya

Defense: Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel, Piero Hincapié

Midfield: Bruno Guimarães, Myles Lewis-Skelly

Attacking midfielders: Max Dowman, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka

Striker: Viktor Gyökeres

In Kenya, football fans can watch the match on SuperSport, the main broadcaster for English football in the region, on select DStv and GOtv channels.

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