Arsenal and Manchester City prepare for Community Shield with key selection calls

Arsenal and Manchester City will meet in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August 2026, with both sides aiming to add silverware before the new Premier League season begins. Ahead of the Wembley fixture, these are the expected starting line-ups for the two teams.

Arsenal are expected to field a balanced side combining experience, physical strength and versatility. David Raya is likely to start in goal, with Ben White and Gabriel joined in defence by Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.

The inclusion of Mosquera and Hincapie would give Arsenal additional defensive solidity, while also offering greater quality when building play from the back. Declan Rice could operate in midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes and captain Martin Ødegaard, giving the Gunners a blend of energy, control and influence in possession.

Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard are expected to provide the attacking threat. The trio would give Arsenal a range of options in the final third, with Saka and Trossard capable of creating openings from wide areas and Havertz offering a focal point further forward.

Arsenal’s probable line-up

Goalkeeper: David Raya

Defenders: Ben White, Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie

Midfielders: Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Ødegaard

Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard

Manchester City could also make several notable selections for the showpiece match. Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to be given the responsibility of protecting the City goal, with his experience seen as an important asset.

The expected defence consists of Matheus Nunes, Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico O’Reilly. In front of them, Nico Gonzalez and Elliot Anderson could form the deeper midfield pairing.

Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo are expected to play in more advanced midfield roles. Cherki’s creativity and ability to operate between the lines could be particularly important against Arsenal’s defence.

Erling Haaland remains Manchester City’s principal attacking threat. The Norway striker’s finishing and power inside the penalty area are likely to be central to City’s approach as they look to claim an early trophy.

Manchester City’s probable line-up

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Defenders: Matheus Nunes, Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O’Reilly

Defensive midfielders: Nico Gonzalez, Elliot Anderson

Attacking midfielders: Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo

Centre-forward: Erling Haaland

The Community Shield will give Arsenal and Manchester City an immediate opportunity to strengthen their trophy collections before the start of the Premier League campaign. It will also provide an early test of the two squads and their potential combinations for the season ahead.

Betting company 1xbet lists Arsenal as narrow favourites, with a price of 2.55 for an Arsenal victory. The odds for a draw are 3.45, while Manchester City are priced at 2.70 to win.