Manchester City face Arsenal at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon in the FA Community Shield, Enzo Maresca’s first competitive match as Man City manager.
Maresca arrives from Chelsea, where he won the Club World Cup before departing mid-season in January 2026. He previously served as Guardiola’s assistant during City’s treble-winning season in 2022-23 and knows the club well. The Community Shield is both a first opportunity to win a trophy and a first competitive test of where his squad stands before the Premier League begins next weekend.
Manchester City team news
Maresca confirmed at his pre-match press conference that his squad is fit. “The only one is Ryan McAidoo, who in pre-season had a small problem, but he has already worked with us,” Maresca said. “So everyone is fit, knowing that some of them just arrived two days ago.”
Rodri is the notable absentee. The Spain midfielder arrived back for pre-season on Friday after back surgery following his World Cup involvement and will not feature on Sunday. Rodri is pushing hard for a move to Barcelona, adding further uncertainty to his long-term City future.
Tijjani Reijnders is also set to leave for Al Qadsiah in a £51m deal after just one season at the Etihad, leaving Maresca with limited central midfield depth heading into the new campaign.
Erling Haaland missed pre-season but Maresca confirmed he is fine: “Yes he was okay.” However, Haaland is expected to begin on the bench as he has not played during pre-season. Omar Marmoush starts centrally — the Egyptian scored twice against Atletico Madrid in pre-season and is the natural beneficiary of Haaland’s absence.
Savinho is a fitness doubt after missing training through illness, but is included in the predicted XI with the expectation he will be passed fit in time. Phil Foden operates in the number ten role, with Antoine Semenyo covering the left flank.
Gianluigi Donnarumma continues in goal. The back four of Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol and Rayan Aït-Nouri provides the defensive structure. Mateo Kovačić and Rodri’s midfield deputy Nico Gonzalez anchor the centre.
Manchester City predicted lineup
Manchester City possible starting XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Kovacic, Gonzalez; Savinho, Foden, Semenyo; Marmoush
When will the match kick off?
The FA Community Shield kicks off at 15:00 BST on Sunday, 16 August 2026.
How to watch Arsenal vs Manchester City?
The match is broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and NOW.