Arsenal and City usher in the post-Guardiola era in the Community Shield

The Community Shield kicks off England's official football season this Sunday with a heavyweight clash at Cardiff's Principality Stadium: Arsenal, reigning Premier League champions, face Manchester City, winners of the FA Cup. A special match marking Enzo Maresca's debut on the City bench, taking over from Pep Guardiola after his historic spell at the club.

Arteta chases his third Community Shield as Arsenal boss, having won it in 2020 against Klopp's Liverpool and in 2023 against City themselves. Maresca, ex-Chelsea manager and former Guardiola assistant at Manchester, wants to start with silverware. The Gunners have 17 Shields; City have 7.

Contrasting pre-seasons

Both teams arrive after a pre-season disrupted by the World Cup. Arsenal hammered Girona 1-4 but lost to Betis (1-3) and Borussia Dortmund (2-3). Maresca's City had a better run, drawing 1-1 with Inter (losing on penalties), beating Atlético 3-1 and K League All-Stars 1-3, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Rodri will miss out: Manchester City continue negotiating his transfer to Barcelona, and though the midfielder returned Friday following minor surgery, he is ruled out. The absence of key players will affect both sides, with several internationals just back from the World Cup.