Arsenal waited 22 years to win the Premier League. Now they get to celebrate again before the new season even starts, meeting Manchester City in the 2026 FA Community Shield on August 16 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The match pits the league champions against the FA Cup holders, a formula as old as English football’s sense of ceremony.
A curtain-raiser with context
Arsenal clinched the 2025-26 Premier League title on May 19 after Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth, a result that mathematically ended the chase. It was the Gunners’ 14th league title and their first since the 2003-04 Invincibles season, a drought that stretched across two decades and three near-misses in consecutive seasons.
Manchester City earned their spot in this match by beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final. But the real story on City’s side is the absence of Pep Guardiola, whose departure adds a layer of uncertainty that makes this more than a glorified preseason friendly.
