arsenal vs Manchester City: Can the Citizens break their Community Shield curse against Arsenal?
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
The Gunners still have ammunition to start the new season on a high note
It might be a new season for Arsenal but they enter the 2026-27 campaign with some kind of renewed belief. This is a club that recently defied all expectations in the previous season when they went all the way to lift the Premier League title for the first time after a 22-year wait.
Last season, the Gunners finished at the top of the table with 85 points to their name and were seven points ahead of their closest rivals, Manchester City, who finished as runners-up. However, there is one crown that eluded them: the UEFA Champions League.
Mikel Arteta's men reached the final and were drawn against Paris Saint-Germain, the defending champions. It was a resolute display from them as they pushed Luis Enrique's men all the way to a penalty shootout but eventually lost 4-3, bringing an end to an otherwise remarkable campaign.
With that being now a thing of the past, the North London outfit is out to prove that their Premier League success was not a one-off achievement as they take on Manchester City. The aim this time around is to prove that they have the quality and depth needed to compete for more trophies.
FA Community Shield has been their hunting ground and this is their perfect opportunity to begin their trophy hunt on a positive note. They are currently the second most successful club in this competition, clinching 17 titles to date.
However, the last time they were able to lift this trophy was in 2023 when they defeated Manchester City, their opponents in this impending encounter, 4-1 on penalties after a drab 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The question now is whether they will be able to see off their threat once again? See our for more insights into the game.
So far, Mikel Arteta's men have lifted the trophy 17 times and are the second most successful club in this competition, with Manchester United leading the race with a record of 21. Behind them, Liverpool is just one match away from matching their record with the Merseyside outfit, emerging victorious 16 times.
Head coach Mikel Arteta has been a driving force in the Gunners' success in this competition, having guided the team to two Community Shield victories. The first triumph came in 2020, defeating Liverpool 5-4 on penalties, and in 2023 against Manchester City.
Indeed, he has a poor record with Manchester City, but his past meetings with Enzo Maresca have been nothing short of convincing, avoiding defeat in three encounters.
Mikel Arteta's record against Enzo Maresca:
- Wins: 1
- Draws: 2
- Losses: 0
The Citizens' new era faces immediate Community Shield examination
It's a new era for one of the most decorated clubs in England as Manchester City embarks on a journey with a new manager at the helm.
Pep Guardiola, who had been in charge of the club since July 2016, officially stepped down as head coach in May 2026, marking an end to a ten-year tenure of dominance.
A familiar face is leading the Citizens, with Enzo Maresca returning to the club for what marks his third spell. From managing the Elite Development Squad to serving as an assistant coach during the 2022-23 season under Pep Guardiola, the Italian was part of the historic treble-winning campaign that saw City claim the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup.
It must be mentioned that he previously managed Leicester City before abruptly leaving his position as Chelsea head coach earlier this year. His experience alone should prove valuable as he looks to navigate the expectations that come with managing one of England’s biggest clubs.
Talking about records in the Community Shield, Manchester City have lifted the trophy seven times in their history. Their most recent triumph was in 2024 when they beat rivals Manchester United 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time at Wembley.
They are no strangers to facing Arsenal in this tournament, as they've met three times ahead of this encounter. Unfortunately, it has been far from an encouraging display, as they've yet to win in any of those encounters with their most recent meeting in 2023 ending in defeat after suffering a 4-1 defeat on penalties.
Manchester City record against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield:
- 1934 FA Charity Shield: Arsenal 4-0 Manchester City
- 2014 FA Community Shield: Arsenal 3-0 Manchester City
- 2023 FA Community Shield: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City (Arsenal won 4-1 on penalties)
That's one piece of history that will be on Arsenal's side heading into Sunday's clash. For Enzo Maresca, this presents a bit of a problem as he seeks to start the 2026-27 season on a high note.
It's worth noting that he has a 6-3-5 record against the Big Six opponents and has yet to win a game against Mikel Arteta in his past three encounters with the manager. Whether that will have a negative or positive effect remains to be seen.
