Aug 16, 2026
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Arsenal faces Manchester City in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium, marking Enzo Maresca's first competitive match as City's head coach.

ManyPress

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ManyPress Editorial

2 min readSource:Guardian Sport
Arsenal and Manchester City prepare for Community Shield match

Key facts

  • The Community Shield match is scheduled to kick off at 3pm BST at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
  • Mikel Arteta, 44, stated his intention to remain at Arsenal and described his contract situation as a low-priority issue.
  • Enzo Maresca is managing his first competitive game for Manchester City following the departure of Pep Guardiola.
  • West Ham is set to open their Championship campaign against Burnley.
  • Watford is scheduled to compete against Southampton.

The annual Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City takes place today at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The game, which serves as the curtain-raiser for the Premier League season, kicks off at 3pm BST. This match marks a significant transition for Manchester City, as it is the first competitive fixture under new head coach Enzo Maresca following the departure of Pep Guardiola.

Mikel Arteta on Arsenal's goals and contract

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated that his team intends to produce their best performance to secure the season's first trophy. Regarding his own future, the 44-year-old manager expressed that he is happy at the club and is not concerned about his current contract, which is set to expire next year. He noted that contract discussions are being handled in an organic way, as both he and the club share a mutual desire for him to remain.

Enzo Maresca's debut with Manchester City

Enzo Maresca approaches the Community Shield as a competitive final rather than a friendly, emphasizing his desire to win his first trophy with the club. While acknowledging Arsenal's strength and recent performance, Maresca stated that Manchester City aims to close the gap on their rivals. He expressed satisfaction with the team's pre-season and highlighted the importance of establishing a high spirit and the right mentality as the competitive season begins.

Additional football fixtures

Beyond the Community Shield, other clubs are beginning their campaigns. West Ham is scheduled to face Burnley in Championship action, while Watford is set to play against Southampton.

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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Sport.

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