The new English football season kicks off today as Premier League champions Arsenal face FA Cup holders Manchester City in the 2026 Community Shield. Kick-off is at 14:00 GMT at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

The match marks City’s first competitive fixture of a new era without Pep Guardiola on the touchline, according to Sky Sports.

Arsenal head into the game after ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League title, per Goal.com. City arrive as FA Cup winners under new head coach Enzo Maresca.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta has not confirmed his starting eleven, Goal.com reports. William Saliba’s absence through injury remains a concern at the back.

Several regular starters are only just returning from extended World Cup breaks, which could shape Arteta’s selection.

The predicted Arsenal lineup, per Sports Illustrated, features Raya in goal behind a back four of White, Mosquera, Gabriel and Calafiori. Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly and Odegaard are tipped for midfield, with Dowman, Havertz and Tzolis leading the attack.

Bruno Guimaraes will draw plenty of attention. He arrives fresh from his move from Newcastle and impressed on his Arsenal debut in a pre-season friendly against Como.

Manchester City Team News

Erling Haaland has returned to training after the World Cup, but Sky Sports reports he’s expected to start on the bench as City ease him back in.

New signing Elliot Anderson is also likely to start from the bench, having yet to make his City debut. Rodri remains unavailable following back surgery.

Omar Marmoush impressed in pre-season with two goals in City’s 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid, per Sports Mole, and looks set to start against Arsenal.

Head to Head

Arsenal have the stronger record in this exact fixture. Sports Mole notes they’ve won all of their last five Community Shield appearances, including a penalty shootout win over City in 2023.

City have had the better of recent meetings elsewhere. They beat Arsenal in the EFL Cup final at Wembley in March 2026, then followed that up with a Premier League win at the Etihad in April, according to Goal.com.

Match Prediction and Betting Tips

Both sides are still working toward full sharpness after pre-season and World Cup breaks. Neither manager is expected to field a full-strength side.

That points toward a cagey, tightly contested match rather than an end-to-end thriller.

Arsenal’s continuity in the dugout and their strong recent record in this fixture gives them a slight edge, especially with City missing Rodri and easing Haaland back gradually.

Our prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City (Arsenal to win on penalties).

For betting angles, Arsenal’s penalty shootout pedigree in this fixture is hard to ignore. Markets around the match going to spot kicks could offer value.

Omar Marmoush’s pre-season form makes him one to watch for anytime goalscorer markets on the City side. Kai Havertz, who scored against City in April, carries similar upside for Arsenal.

With both sides likely to rotate, under 2.5 goals markets are also worth considering given how cagey this fixture has been in recent years.

For more match predictions like this one on every major fixture this season, visit Tipspac