Arsenal lock horns with Manchester City in the 2026 FA Community Shield on Sunday afternoon.
This year, the match will be hosted at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium, rather than Wembley.
The Gunners arrive in the Welsh capital as Premier League champions having finished seven points clear of City in 2025-26.
As for the Citizens, they claimed a domestic double of the EFL Cup and FA Cup last term in Pep Guardiola’s final season as manager.
Enzo Maresca has now taken the reins at the Etihad and it will be interesting to see how the Italian gets on in his first bout with Mikel Arteta – who he previously worked with at City as assistants to Pep!
Check out our full preview for the 2026 Community Shield below, in which we have picked out some sports betting tips based on NetBet’s latest football odds.
And if multiple markets from this fixture catch your eye, remember you can combine them into one handy wager with the Bet Builder tool. Play your way at NetBet!
Where can I watch Arsenal vs Manchester City in the UK?
Arsenal vs Manchester City will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm UK time.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Preview
Recent results
Arsenal’s pre-season campaign started with a 4-1 triumph over Girona, before back-to-back defeats vs Real Betis (1-3) and Borussia Dortmund (2-3). The Gunners finished with a penalty shootout victory over FC Como at the Emirates following a 1-1 draw.
City’s pre-season plight started with a loss on penalties to Inter Milan following a 1-1 draw. Maresca’s men then recovered and claimed back-to-back 3-1 wins over K-League All-Stars and Atletico Madrid.
Head-to-head record
After a six-match unbeaten run vs City, Arsenal lost each of the last two against their fierce rivals.
A 2-0 loss at Wembley in the 2026 EFL Cup final was followed by a 2-1 defeat at the Etihad, a result which many believed would swing the title race in the Citizens’ favour – which ultimately it did not.
Last season’s meeting at the Emirates finished 1-1, with Gabriel Martinelli’s late strike cancelling out Erling Haaland’s opener.
Team news
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka should return to the Arsenal matchday squad, though it is unlikely either will feature from the off. Bruno Guimaraes could therefore make his first Gunners start, with fellow summer arrival Christos Tzolis – who tallied one goal and three assists in pre-season – occupying the left wing. William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are ruled out through injury.
Elliot Anderson could make his first appearance for City after returning to first-team training, with Haaland, Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Rayan Cherki also back in the fold following extended summer breaks due to World Cup 2026. Rodri and Savinho are expected to miss out with fitness issues.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Arsenal are marginal favourites ahead of kick-off in Cardiff, the Gunners priced at 2.41 to claim the win. A victory for Manchester City is at odds of 2.52, while the draw after 90 minutes is 3.14.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Betting Tips
Both teams to score – Yes @ 1.65
This BTTS pick landed in all seven of Arsenal and Man City’s pre-season matches combined. Furthermore, both teams found the back of the net in four of the last five editions of this fixture.
Player to score or assist – Bruno Guimaraes @ 3.80
Guimaraes played his first minutes for Arsenal in the 1-1 draw with Como, and looked very sharp off the bench. The Brazilian always looked to break the lines with passes and appeared to quickly establish on-pitch chemistry with his colleagues. Guimaraes recorded an assist in two of his last four appearances vs City with Newcastle, and backing him to deliver in the red of Arsenal could be a shrewd move to make.
Player to score or assist – Antoine Semenyo @ 2.50
Semenyo has been on fire for City in pre-season. The Ghanaian tallied five assists in three matches, meaning he played a key role in all but two of the Citizens’ goals scored. Not bad, eh? Semenyo also netted the only goal in the 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea, so he knows how to deliver when silverware is on the line.
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