Arsenal face City in Community Shield as Guardiola era ends

The Story in Brief

Manchester City meet Arsenal in Sunday's Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, the first time since 2006 the fixture is staged there because Wembley is hosting The Weeknd concerts. The match marks City's first competitive game without former manager Pep Guardiola, who left after a decade. New manager Enzo Maresca, who previously coached Chelsea and Leicester, has set up in a 4-2-3-1 but several first-team players including Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, and Marc Guéhi are only returning from extended post-World Cup leave.

City will also be without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who is recovering from back surgery amid transfer speculation linking him to Real Madrid and Barcelona. Arsenal come into the game as defending Premier League champions after ending a 22-year title drought last season. Manager Mikel Arteta said his squad is "refreshed and highly motivated" and wants to "start the season by lifting the first trophy." Arsenal have added midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle and other signings this summer.