Here we go, Gooners! Pre-season is done and Arsenal have their first opportunity to get their hands on some silverware this afternoon when they face Manchester City in the Community Shield.
The Premier League champions meet FA Cup winners City at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with kick-off at 3pm UK time.
Arsenal v Man City Preview: Champions Ready for First Shot at Silverware in Cardiff
This may be the traditional curtain-raiser ahead of the new season, but neither side is treating it as a friendly. Mikel Arteta has already spoken about the hunger within his squad to lift another trophy, while new City boss Enzo Maresca is equally determined to begin his reign with silverware.
Now we know the Arsenal team tasked with bringing the Shield back to North London.
Confirmed Arsenal team
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Mikel names a strong starting XI š
š¤Presented by @deel pic.twitter.com/bckDyMazRo
ā Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 16, 2026
Arteta has decisions to make in Cardiff
We already knew Arsenal would be without William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, with Saliba continuing his rehabilitation from a back problem and Timber still recovering from the groin injury that kept him out of the World Cup.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Zubimendi had yet to feature during pre-season heading into this game, although all three returned to training during the week and Arteta indicated they were ready for some involvement.
That makes todayās selection particularly interesting as Arteta balances the fitness of his returning internationals with the opportunity to win the first available trophy of the campaign.
City have issues of their own, with Rodri ruled out after undergoing minor back surgery, while several players returning from the latter stages of the World Cup have also had limited preparation.
One more trophy, please Arsenal!
There is certainly no shortage of motivation.
Arsenal have won the Community Shield 17 times, including shared titles, and have lifted it on each of their last five appearances.
Weāve also faced Manchester City three times in this competition and won all three, most recently in 2023 when a late equaliser took the game to penalties before Arsenal won the shootout 4-1.
Arteta himself has a perfect record in the Community Shield too, winning twice as an Arsenal player and twice as manager.
But history wonāt win todayās game.
This is a new City under Maresca and an Arsenal side preparing to defend their Premier League crown. Both teams want to lay down an early marker before the serious business of the league campaign begins.
For the Gunners, though, what better way could there be to head into Friday nightās Premier League opener against Coventry City than with another trophy safely tucked away?
So, Gooners, what do you make of Artetaās starting XI? Has he picked the team you wanted to see, and are Arsenal bringing the Community Shield home from Cardiff? Give us your score predictions in the comments.
COYG!
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Strong Man City team ,wasnt expecting that .
Will be surprised if we can get anything with that front 3 .
outside of Saka mate probably our first choice front three
but remember some Gooners don’t want Vincius Jr , Williams , Alvarez , Rashford, etc
You would sign Williams and Rashford? š¤£
Nico Williams?
in a heartbeat
Rashford as a happy medium and stop gap if we have to wait for that world class player
99% of your comments are always negative. I never see you support this team. 1 billion of Arsenal fans worldwide have their choice of players to bring in. Because the club did not listen to yours doesn’t mean you should always feel negative about the team. For once support this team.
what is negative about what I just said
Moon girl would I sign Williams or Radford?
who did I speak negative about ?
if I show you my last 10 articles shall we see if im always negative or did you makeit up ?
Oh Dan! You are like the JA Court Jester. š
sorry so to clarify you think our left side is better then Nico Williams lol
š
last 10 articles
review of Arsenal documentary
explaining the difference in tax in Turkey
Do we need a CB ?
why the ghost brokers are being unfair on Skelley
Time for Reiss to Go ?
why Fabregas should get a positive reaction
history of Community Shield and impact it has on title race
10 shirt numbers and significance
Arsenal best Brazilian 11
who could be our plan B after V Jr
Thank you Noorgard
hardly 99 percent lol
some people will make things up š
I wouldnāt call Dan negative. He has strong opinions about where we can upgrade is all, and really just wants the best for the team. If you want to measure his posts against some true lemon sucking, read Dan kitās š
Utter bullocks.
Nobody wants Rashford. Even his own Man Utd want him gone.
Williams is not an upgrade and is most likely unavailable.
Alvarez doesn’t want us. He wants Barcelona only.
You deliberately bring this up for just no reason but to argue even when talking about other topics
no I’m saying Gooners can’t say oh our front three won’t do much then say but we don’t want Williams and Alavrez so it is relevant to the topic
Williams has a buy out clause for 75 so is available
He is not good enough.
Just another over hyped footballer.
Better to trust Nelli and Tzolis while that ā¬75m remains in the bank for when the opportunity comes to sign a real upgrade than to waste it on an almost ā¬350k p/w average player. Not sure any top club is queuing at his agent’s ofdice.
And don’t let me get started on Rashford
Barca were dude but he wanted to stay
surely he can only help especially if Martinelli leaves
Barca were interested before…not anymore. And that was years ago.
Funny how even his transfermarkt value has dropped heavily. He is over hyped
yeah but you said he was unavailable?
that’s just made up
but yeah mate , your opinion if you don’t rate him
for me it’s obvious hes better then what we have
maybe injury prone ?
Ā£78m since he signed his 10 year contract extension.
I agree, Man City have their strongest possible team starting, most of our starters against Coventry Friday are on the bench.
Interesting how MA not too interested in winning today, using this match as part of the friendly program.
Bruno playing the deeper role, with Skells left 8?
disagree
most of that 11 will start on Friday
Dan kit
We got 3 surprises thanks to Arteta and the team
Arsenal will surely win this.
#COYGšŖ
I think the line up is more or less what I expected It does show on the bench how we desperately need a defender before the deadline It would be nice to start off the season with a win but I think we still need at least one signing to bolster the attack and also the defence too Interesting that Dowman gets the nod over Martinelli on the bench too I would maybe have omitted Rice from the squad and had Nwaneri as a possible to come on especially as we have Merino and Zubimendi in place
Great line-up
I can’t wait to see Lewis-Skelly playing the left-sided AM or left DM roles. I think he’ll be a good replacement for Xhaka in that position and Arsenal should’ve signed another left-footed DM to compete with him
My only concern is Martinelli isn’t on the bench. I hope Arsenal won’t sell him without a better replacement
Salmon not on the bench
tried to say some were getting carried away when they said he could be Saliba replacement
Where is Marli? Heās my favourite!
Must have a niggle. Best not risk him before Friday.
Manager must have agreed with me lol
I think the point being made was that at his age, he could eventually succeed Saliba.
no some said he was better then player we been linked with and should start next Friday
I don’t know about that. It might have been said, but I can’t remember anyone seriously saying that he was better than Saliba or could replace him.
yeah but with respect this is what a group of you do
same 4 / 5 and then when Im proven correct you ask who said that lol
the point is pre season has zero reflection on if a 16 year old can start in the Prem
hence why as I predicted he didn’t make the squad
“a group of you” I don’t think that I’m a part of any group (unless you mean one of very nice people) and you still can’t say who it was that said Marli would replace Saliba, because I don’t think anyone didš¤£.
oh I can but what’s the point lol
have we heard from manager yet as I generally want to know what he says about those not on bench ?
“oh i can but what’s the point”
The point is to prove your point. Quite simple really.
So if I prove it to you guys that will be the end of it because I’m seeing a pattern of being answered a question then the same 4 crying when they don’t like the answer lol
No ones crying, just 2 posters asking you to name the 4/5 posters who posted that he was better than the players we were linked with.
Didn’t say 4 or 5
I said same 4 or 5 will claim it was never said like your proving now
I’ll send one example but first ask why do you really want to see
It’s sad lol
Not like your going to say hey Dan as usual you were correct
So it’s just one poster then šš
Jax asked anybody ?
There were a few
I’m not in court dude , don’t have to sent loads of examples
I don’t have to prove everything I say
If you don’t believe me mind over matter
And you proved my point .Jax said 0 so if I prove it your say 1
If I send 1 someone will say show me 2
If I show you 2 someone will say show me 3
It’s not in good faith lol
So you can’t back it up šš
You post that it was 4/5…
No I didn’t lol
Think your after an argument and we discussed this
I’m not here for your entertainment
If you don’t believe me search it in the engine
Yes you did, at 5:54 this afternoon.
Stop lying Bertie.
So one example and then I’m moving on .( Won’t name names as think that’s unfair )
They said ….
Salmon was the most impressive player, reminded me a lot of Saliba with his calm play, last ditch tackles and looking very comfortable with the ball. It wouldnāt surprise me at all if he starts against City or Coventry. Better than Mosquera and Hincapie in my opinion.
I then said he won’t start against Coventry.
One said ….that’s his opinion
Another how do you know ?
Your negative ,etc
So it was only 1 poster then š
Dan
It was an opinion. Your reply to the poster in question came across as arrogant (and you are big on calling others arrogant yourself). Iām sure you didnāt intend it to but it did. I simply referred to it as opinion. Somebody else took a slightly firmer position. The opinion wasnāt suggesting Salmon is better than Saliba but that in the posterās opinion he showed enough in the friendly to start in Salibaās absence
As for the other poster that you have quoted, it was an opinion that Salmon was better than either Mosquera or Hincapie. On that Iād agree with you in the here and now. However, it was an opinion
What Iām keen to get to the bottom of is you repeating an argument about a gang of 4 or 5 which was very much aimed at me some months ago because Iāve got no intention of getting embroiled in another episode like that. And that is all Iāve got to say about it
Another said
heās looked like a young Saliba whenever heās played and should start alongside Gabriel in my opinion
But you can find these in the search engine and your equally see the reaction when I dare say it won’t happen
So that makes it 2 then…
Yeah keep searching
My job isn’t to keep sending you proof just because your lonely
It’s odd
You can literally find it yourself
It’s strange
Jax said anybody so I more then proved it
Seeing as you made the accusation then it’s down to you to show the proof.
Me lonely š, that’s rich coming from you šš
Well no because it begs the question why would you need proof and once you have it why would you need more?
That’s definition of wanting attention
Let’s see how long you can go without needing to ask me for something lol
Because when someone makes an accusation then it’s down to them to show the proof, thats how it works. Otherwise they could just be spewing šš©.
Not really if someone doesn’t believe me that’s their issue not mine
Certainly not my job to send them examples till they approve
But we can agree to disagree
They may well not believe you, that’s why they ask for proof. Let’s face it, you have made things up before.
So it was said lol ?
yeah and my opinion is ( and this is all I said ) he won’t start against Coventry
I’ll be correct
Where did I post that it was said ?
Dan,
Can I just sat he didn’t make the squad because only 18 players were allowed for this game. When asked this question as to why a player hadn’t made it into the squad, Arteta gave the 18 rule as the reason for this.
He also said that he’s tried to get that rule changed as to have more options from the bench with the amount of games played.
Who said it’s just a glorified friendly? See the ambition and desire of the managers through the line ups. Magalhaes v Haaland
Regardless of who plays today we start the game as PL Champions – so the pressure is on in every game. So we need to make statement we need to be resilient, concede nothing then wear these lot down. I’m hoping for a late Eze winner to put the smiles back onto the global fanbase faces. COYG!
No Martinelli?
I think Tzolis will be our number 1 LW at least for this season
Already had the assist
I am just worried about Musquera
Mosky is doing okay in my opinion. Not many mistakes stick in my mind from his first half. Outstrengthed Erling and Doku couldnāt get passed as 2 good moments.
Mosky is not a bad player as a squad back up.
Although the City first eleven out there looks strong, not just stronger than our starting 11 today, but likely stronger up front than even our starting 11 on its best dayā¦
however, the Man City bench looks so weak! Is that the best Man City got in squad depth now?
How good is Skelly going to become?
How good is he now!
ā¤ļø Skells.
@Moon Girl
Gotta say. Heās even making Bruno look averageā¦š«£
Skelly man of match so far. A worldee assist, goal saving tackle, and everything in between.
Bruno is playing deeper that I suppose takes away his license.
For Man City they are pushing Anderson far too far forward, he needs to sit deeper to get on the ball.
Wow shock
Come on; Calafiori should score that.
Good cross from White
Yes
At least should have hit the target
Also Tzolis had one half chance where he could have taken a 1st time shot, instead he laid off short pass to Calafiori
We need now Set piece goal
Madueke needs to be more effective. He is not threat for opponents
Madueke is having arguably his best game in an Arsenal shirt imo
Odegaard controlled the midfield and press hard as usual. Unfortunately, Nwaneri will be shipped out, so we can only expect Dowman to compete with the captain
Tzolis’ passes were very good and Lewis-Skelly was massive in midfield. I knew he would be a revelation in the left DM and left-sided AM positions
Calafiori is still our best marauding LB, but he needs someone like Lewis-Skelly, Rice or Zubimendi to cover him when he ventures forward
Havertz and Madueke were also lively
good debut so for for Bruno G
him and Skelly dominating midfield
Fantastic start. So what if itās the Community Shield. My stream went down so relying on the BBC commentary š”
Tzolis reminds me of a winger that played for us in the late 80’s, Brian Marwood.
Bruno off/Rice on
Bruno might be injured
I hope it is just a precautionary measure
@Jax
I hope notā¦š¤š¾
Our midfield is stacked, huge depth n quality.
It looks like Bruno G is injured
I hope it is precautionary
Tzolis looks nice
I hope Rodri is leaving as well
That would be terrible luck so our usual luck. Ice pack on thigh could be tightness also.
What a great goal.
We are wiping city off the floor without saliba, saka and rice.
Rice is on
I’m really warming to Tzolis. He must have had six goal involvements so far
I did feel Odegarrd was back at his best at the World Cup
been amazing today
Lewis-Skelly made another crucial pass
Merino and him should compete for the left DM role, but starting one of the left-footed DMs would bench Rice or Guimaraes
Haaland off.
Iām telling you heās crocked.
Yeah I know its early days but Tzolis seems to be living the dream š .
# Happy for him.
waiting for the ….we don’t need a LM lol
looking good though
Why spend 100 million plus on that position when it’s more obviously needed on a striker?
because if Martinelli leaves we are so short on the left where up front we have Havterz and VG
The fact Martinelli seemed close to going to Turkey must surely mean we are close to bringing in a replacement?
Would you be happy to see us sign Gapko?
no but if we don’t get that marquee name we might have to accept someone who is only okay
like you said hopefully Martinelli not being on bench means they have something up sleeve
MG, he wasn’t close to going to Turkey. He doesn’t want to go there, he wants to stay at The Arsenal.
I think it’s more he doesn’t want to Turkey unfortunately
I fear once he’s old he’s not wanted he will leave
gutted because I like him.
It looks Odegaard has factory reset on his system
Itās possible he was playing through the pain barrier last season
Totally agree. Itās fact your goals and assist stats donāt improve when you are on treatment tables and not playing.
Ode was back to bouncy and fizz today.
For man of match his goal sticks in the mind, but Skelly was covering ground for tackles whole game. Skelly my man of the match.
Tzolis still to win me over. Iām not sure about him.
Quite possibly SueP, also the way we played last season hampered him imo. Today we played faster and players made themselves available for a pass.
Are you watching Pep? See the new gulf
Surprised how bad city actually was ,especially with there starting 11
How about some praise for us! Obviously difficult for you I realise.
Well I would have on the match article but for some reason youāve jumped on my post so I probably wonāt now .
š«”
Because you were negative as per usual but hey, each to their own.
Man City could have pressed better, Anderson was played too high up the field, Harland has struggled with fitness all year, dunarunner had a poor game Kaiās goal is close to being awarded as own goal.
Arsenal’s improvement and cohesion made City look bad.
6 subs now?
I thought the sameš²
because it’s not viewed as a competive fixture but a friendly so the FA allow 6 subs for this game
Thanks
š
…’but a friendly’? if so why not more than 6 like all friendlies? when we win emphatically in unanswered manner
Amba. If any more had been permitted, it would have just become the farce that many of these pre-season games turn into.
Kudos to Berta & co. for signing Tzolis. He keeps on generating goals since the summer. Opponents may mark him hereafter. Really an upgrade on Martinelli. Proud of today’s Gunners performance and confidence as defending champs. Onwards and upwards our Arsenal!!!!!!!!!!
It was entirely a subdued respectful moment for both Haaland and Magalhaes nothing provocative. Truce signed when both meet in America in the WC?
Good to the end of the drinks breaksš¤£
…see the end of…