Mikel Arteta has named his Arsenal starting XI for Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City, with Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres all starting in Cardiff.
The Premier League champions face FA Cup winners City at the Principality Stadium in the traditional curtain-raiser, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm BST.
David Raya starts in goal for Arsenal, with Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes and Piero Hincapie forming Arteta’s back four.
William Saliba remains unavailable with a back injury, while Jurrien Timber is still working his way back from a groin problem. Arteta confirmed before the game that Timber remains several weeks away from a full return.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
Mikel names a strong starting XI 👊
🤝Presented by @deel pic.twitter.com/bckDyMazRo
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 16, 2026
Confirmed Arsenal line-up vs Man City
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Eze; Gyokeres.
The biggest encouragement for Arsenal comes further forward.
Rice and Martin Zubimendi both start despite only recently returning following their extended post-World Cup breaks, while Saka is also immediately restored on the right.
ReadArsenal reported before the game that all three had returned to contention, with Arteta subsequently confirming their availability.
Captain Martin Odegaard starts in the No.10 role, with Eberechi Eze joining Saka behind Gyokeres.
That means Arteta has gone considerably stronger than he might have done given the disrupted preparations of several international players.
Our predicted Arsenal XI had Saka, Rice and Zubimendi all coming straight back into the side, and Arteta has ultimately decided the opportunity to win silverware warrants using his returning stars immediately.
Manchester City also field a powerful attack, with Erling Haaland leading the line as Enzo Maresca takes charge of his first competitive game since replacing Pep Guardiola. City have entered a new era this summer, with £116m midfielder Elliot Anderson among the major additions to Maresca’s squad.
For Arsenal, however, the headline is clear: Arteta is going for the Community Shield with a side containing many of his biggest attacking weapons.
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