Premier League champions Arsenal take on FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Community Shield in the traditional curtain-raiser to the Premier League season.
This year’s edition takes place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, relocated from its usual home at Wembley due to a series of concerts by The Weeknd at the London venue.
Arsenal won their first league title for 22 years when they finished top of the pile in May, seven points clear of Pep Guardiola’s City, and Mikel Arteta will hope to pick up where they left off as they bid to defend their crown.
City, who beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final, begin a new era under Enzo Maresca after a decade of success led by Guardiola – although the club begin the new season with the threat of possible sanctions still hanging over them.
Follow all the action with our liveblog below:
Arsenal’s early team news
The Gunners will start the new campaign without key centre-back William Saliba after the France international suffered a back injury during the World Cup. Jurrien Timber is also injured and his return is “weeks away”, according to Arteta.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, David Raya and Martin Zubimendi are unlikely to start with only a few days’ training under their belts.
Mike Jones16 August 2026 12:18
How to watch Arsenal v Man City
The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK.
Subscribers can watch online via the HBO Max app and website.
Coverage begins at 2pm.
Mike Jones16 August 2026 12:12
When is the Community Shield?
Arsenal take on Manchester City at 3pm BST today, Sunday 16 August, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Mike Jones16 August 2026 12:06
Arsenal v Man City
Premier League champions Arsenal take on FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.
The curtain-raiser to the Premier League season takes place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, relocated from its usual home at Wembley due to a series of concerts by The Weeknd at the London venue.
Arsenal won their first league title for 22 years when they finished top of the pile in May, seven points clear of Pep Guardiola’s City, and Mikel Arteta will hope to pick up where they left off as they bid to defend their crown.
City, who beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final, begin a new era under Enzo Maresca after a decade of success led by Guardiola – although the club begin the new season with the threat of possible sanctions still hanging over them.
Mike Jones16 August 2026 12:00
Good afternoon!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Community Shield action.
The new season has begun in the EFL but Premier League clubs, Arsenal and Manchester City get their first taste of competitive football when they come face-top-face at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Enzo Maresca has replaced Pep Guardiola as City’s boss and there’s been reinforcements for both clubs so today’s outing will give us a feel for how they’re shaping up ahead of the start of the season.
Kick off is at 3pm and we’ll have all the build up, team news and line-ups throughout the afternoon.
Mike Jones16 August 2026 11:55