Match story
- Aston Villa created the clearer chances on xG (1.09 vs 1.68, Δ 0.59).
- Manchester City fired more attempts (14 vs 7 shots).
- Manchester City held more of the ball (62% possession).
Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 34 stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Etihad Stadium in Manchester. C. Pawson officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Manchester City vs Aston Villa meeting in Premier League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Manchester City and Aston Villa. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier LeagueRecorded meetings: 9 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 34 stage in the 2024 season. The match was played at Etihad Stadium in Manchester. C. Pawson officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Manchester City vs Aston Villa meeting in Premier League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Manchester City and Aston Villa. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier LeagueRecorded meetings: 9 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
⚽ News and buildup to the first Sunday of the EFL season⚽ Jonathan Wilson’s Community Shield preview | Mail usChampionship resultsWolves 2-2 Blackburn RoversBolton Wanderers 2-1 Preston North EndBristol City 0-2 MillwallCharlton 2-1 Derby CountyMiddlesbrough 2-1 Lincoln CityNorwich City 1-2 West BromPortsmouth 1-3 Queens Park RangersStoke City 1-2 Swansea CitySheffield United 0-0 Birmingham City Continue reading...
Arsenal and Manchester City will be clashing for the 2026 FA Community Shield, but the final won't be held at the iconic Wembley Stadium. Arsenal and Manchester City are set to go head-to-head for the first trophy of the 2026-27 season in the 2026 FA Community Shield. However, Sunday’s match will break with long-standing English tradition, as the iconic Wembley Stadium will not serve as the backdrop for this year’s edition. In English soccer, Wembley Stadium stands as the country’s ultimate cathedral, serving as the home pitch for both the men’s and women’s national teams while hosting the biggest domestic fixtures on the calendar. From lower-division promotion playoff finals to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup showpieces, Wembley has also consistently hosted the Community Shield in recent years. The fixture brings together the reigning Premier League champions and FA Cup winners from the previous campaign to battle in England’s equivalent of a super cup. Situated in London, Wembley typically provides an ideal neutral venue for traveling supporters, though 2026 will mark a rare departure from that setup. The 2026 Community Shield will not take place at Wembley Stadium because Canadian pop superstar The Weeknd is scheduled to perform his “After Hours til Dawn” tour at the venue on the exact same day. With the stadium booked and configured for a massive concert, hosting both events simultaneously was impossible, forcing the FA to relocate the match. General view outside the Wembley Stadium. (Getty Images) Where is the 2026 FA Community Shield being held? Forced away from Wembley, the 2026 Community Shield will actually take place outside of England, heading west into Wales. The clash between Arsenal and Manchester City will instead be hosted at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, a venue capable of holding 74,500 fans. This marks only the third time since 2007 that the Community Shield has moved away from London, and the first time it returns to Wales since 2006. Between 2001 and 2006, while the original Wembley Stadium was being demolished and rebuilt, the fixture was held at Principality Stadium for six consecutive years, making this a 20-year anniversary return to the Welsh capital. Other venues have also held the Community Shield First established in 1908 as the Charity Shield, the competition did not make Wembley its permanent host venue until 1974. In the decades prior, historic grounds such as Stamford Bridge, Highbury, White Hart Lane, Old Trafford, Maine Road, The Den, Molineux, and Filbert Street all played host to the annual season opener. Since the new Wembley Stadium opened its gates in 2007, only three editions of the Community Shield have been moved elsewhere. Villa Park hosted the 2012 match while Wembley served as a venue for the London Olympics, Leicester City’s King Power Stadium hosted in 2022 due to the UEFA Women’s Euro final, and now Cardiff steps in for 2026 due to concert scheduling.
Manchester City take on Arsenal in a blockbuster match for the 2026 FA Community Shield final. Manchester City and Arsenal meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff for the 2026 FA Community Shield final, with kickoff set for 10:00 a.m ET. The match doubles as a milestone occasion for City, marking Enzo Maresca’s first competitive match in charge of the club since replacing Pep Guardiola in the dugout. Arsenal qualified as reigning Premier League champions after their title-winning campaign last season, while City earned their place by winning the FA Cup in May, beating Chelsea at Wembley for their eighth FA Cup title in club history. Recent history slightly favors City in this particular fixture, with two wins in the last five head-to-head meetings between the sides. Arsenal, however, hold the more recent edge in the Community Shield specifically, having won the last time these two clubs met in this exact competition back in 2023, on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Both sides arrive with contrasting preseason form. Arsenal posted a mixed 2-2-1 record in their warm-up matches, including defeats to Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund, though they did beat Girona 4-1. City, meanwhile, looked sharper in their own preparation, beating Atlético Madrid 3-1 in their final tune-up, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice in that win. Just one week to go until the FA #CommunityShield 🤩Who will start their season on a high, @Arsenal or @ManCity? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/T8NcfFyx6Q— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 9, 2026 What happens if Manchester City beat Arsenal A win would hand Maresca a trophy in his very first match at the helm, giving City an ideal start to the new era and a psychological edge heading into the Premier League season opener. It would also snap Arsenal’s recent run of success in this exact fixture, avenging their 2023 Community Shield defeat to the Gunners. What happens if Manchester City and Arsenal draw The Community Shield doesn’t allow for extra time. Any match still level after 90 minutes goes straight to a penalty shootout to determine the winner, with both teams still credited with a draw on the official record despite one side lifting the trophy. What happens if Manchester City lose to Arsenal A loss would see Arsenal successfully defend the Community Shield and continue their recent dominance over City in this fixture, while also handing Maresca a defeat in his first game in charge — an inauspicious start to his tenure, even if the Community Shield itself carries more symbolic weight than competitive significance heading into the new season.
Arsenal and Manchester City meet in the 2026 FA Community Shield final, but the match won't be played at Wembley Stadium as is traditional. Arsenal and Manchester City meet today in the 2026 FA Community Shield, English soccer traditional curtain-raiser pitting the reigning Premier League champions against the FA Cup holders. This year’s edition will be played at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, marking the first time the fixture has been staged there in 20 years. The 74,500-capacity venue steps in as host for a match that has called Wembley home in all but a handful of editions since 2007. The two sides arrive with plenty of history in this competition. Arsenal have won all three of their previous meetings against City in the Community Shield — in 1934, 2014 and most recently in 2023, when the Gunners prevailed 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Manchester City, meanwhile, head into the match under new manager Enzo Maresca, who officially took over this summer as the club begins life after Pep Guardiola. History repeated? 👀🔄Arsenal have been victorious in each of the three times they've met Manchester City in the FA #CommunityShield.Who will come out on top tomorrow? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/VGIh9ESHv6— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 15, 2026 Both squads are expected to field a mix of first-team regulars and players easing back in following extended World Cup breaks, as they look to kick off the new season with silverware already on the line. Why the match isn’t being played at Wembley The Community Shield has been held at Wembley every year since 2007, with only a couple of exceptions, but this year’s edition had to find a new home. According to organizers, Wembley Stadium is unavailable due to a pre-scheduled run of concerts by The Weeknd, forcing the FA to relocate the match to Principality Stadium in Cardiff — the same venue that hosted the fixture the last time it left Wembley two decades ago.
Samuel Barrott has been assigned as the referee to officiate the 2026 FA Community Shield Final between Arsenal and Manchester City. Arsenal and Manchester City are set to face off on Sunday, August 16, in the FA Community Shield final with the first hardware of the 2026-27 season on the line. With all procedural details finalized, match officials have officially been appointed for the clash at Principality Stadium. The match referee tasked with officiating the 2026 Community Shield is Samuel Barrott. The 33-year-old official has made a rapid rise through the English ranks, taking charge of Premier League fixtures since 2024 and joining the official FIFA refereeing list in 2025. The 2026 Community Shield will mark the third major final of Barrott’s career. The English referee previously officiated the 2023-24 EFL League One Playoff Final between Bolton Wanderers and Oxford United (a 2-0 Oxford victory), and most recently handled the UEFA U19 EURO Final between Spain and Germany (a 2-0 win for Spain). Barrott will lead the crew on the pitch alongside assistant referees Craig Taylor and Blake Antrobus, with Farai Hallam serving as the fourth official on the touchline. The Community Shield final will feature full VAR implementation, led by lead VAR official James Bell and assistant VAR Tim Wood. Referee Sam Barrott shows Nick Pope of Newcastle United a yellow card during the Premier League clash vs. Arsenal. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Complete list of match officials Referee: Sam Barrott1st assistant: Craig Taylor2nd assistant Blake Antrobus4th Official: Farai HallamReserve Assistant Referee: Alistair NelsonVAR: James BellAVAR: Tim Wood Barrott’s record with Arsenal and Manchester City Sam Barrott made his Premier League officiating debut back in October 2023 during a fixture between Fulham and Sheffield United at Craven Cottage that ended in a 3-1 win for the host side. Since then, he has overseen several high-profile matches involving both Man City and Arsenal across top-flight English soccer and domestic cup competitions. When overseeing the Citizens, Barrott has officiated six matches, including four in the Premier League, one in the Carabao Cup, and one in the FA Cup. His most recent Man City fixture was an FA Cup round of 16 clash against Newcastle United, which ended in a 3-1 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side. In those six matches under Barrott, Man City hold a 4-2 record while outscoring opponents 16-6. Arsenal hold an even stronger mark under Barrott’s whistle, boasting nine wins and just one defeat across 10 matches. However, that single loss came in a major fixture, the 2025-26 FA Cup quarterfinal, where second-tier Southampton eliminated the Gunners 2-1. His most recent Arsenal match was a Premier League tilt that ended in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United.
The 2026 FA Community Shield is here, with Arsenal and Manchester City fighting for the title on Sunday, August 16. Here are all the details on how to watch this match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Arsenal vs Manchester City on US television and via legal streaming: WHO: Arsenal vs Manchester City WHAT: Community Shield WHEN: 10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT • Sunday, August 16, 2026 WHERE: Fubo STREAM: WATCH NOW Match Overview Arsenal enter the new season’s curtain-raiser with sky-high expectations after shattering Manchester City’s domestic dominance to claim the 2025/26 Premier League title. The Gunners, built on the league’s best defense, finally reached the summit and now have the chance to secure the first piece of silverware of the new campaign and prove their championship was no fluke. Across the pitch, Manchester City begins a new era. With legendary manager Pep Guardiola’s reign over, former assistant Enzo Maresca takes the helm for his first competitive match. Despite losing their league crown, City remained unbeaten against the Gunners last season and will be fueled by the urgency to make an immediate statement that they are still the team to beat in England. Tactical Analysis & Match Context This clash pits the newly crowned champions against a powerhouse in transition. Arsenal’s title-winning campaign was a masterclass in defensive solidity, finishing with the lowest expected goals against (28.3 xGA) in the division. Their momentum is strong, and the challenge is now to build a lasting dynasty. The tactical battle will be fascinating, setting Arsenal’s disciplined structure and lethal set-piece prowess against Maresca’s expected possession-heavy system. The game will likely be decided by whether Arsenal’s organized press can disrupt City’s build-up or if City’s world-class attack, which led the league in scoring last season, can find cracks in the Gunners’ formidable backline. For both squads, the motivations are crystal clear. Arsenal is determined to solidify its status as England’s top club by adding another trophy to the cabinet. For Manchester City, this is a crucial opportunity for Maresca to begin his tenure with a statement win and signal that the club’s hunger for trophies remains as intense as ever, even in a new chapter. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, Arsenal holds the upper hand in this fixture, having won 101 of the 216 all-time meetings between the clubs. However, the recent dynamic has shifted dramatically in favor of their opponents from Manchester. In the last six encounters, Arsenal has managed just a single victory, highlighting City’s modern dominance. Last season, Manchester City took four points from the two league meetings and also defeated the Gunners in the EFL Cup final, asserting their authority over the eventual league champions. Recent games have consistently produced goals, with both teams scoring in four of the last five matchups. These fixtures have averaged a high-scoring 3.4 goals per game, suggesting an entertaining affair is likely. Furthermore, a draw at halftime has been a frequent outcome, occurring in six of the last ten head-to-head clashes. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both managers face significant selection headaches due to injuries and the staggered return of players from summer international duty, which will heavily influence their starting XIs. Arsenal has been dealt a massive blow with key defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber sidelined with long-term injuries, forcing Mikel Arteta into a defensive reshuffle. Additionally, core players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are returning late, raising questions about their match fitness for this crucial opener. Manchester City is also navigating a period of transition. The squad is without holding midfielder Rodri, while defensive stalwarts John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji have all departed the club. Star striker Erling Haaland has had limited
Coventry manager and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard (Picture: Getty) Frank Lampard has expressed interest in signing a second Chelsea star for Coventry City after making an approach for Mykhailo Mudryk. Lampard is keen to bolster his Coventry squad further as he prepares for their return to the Premier League. Coventry face Premier League champions Arsenal in their opening fixture of the new season after storming to the Championship title last term. The Sky Blues have signed Caleb Yirenkyi, Carl Rushworth, Lous Tchauouna, Aurele Amenda, Gustavo Hamer, Frank Onyenka and Normal Bassette so far this summer. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. But Lampard wants to welcome a few more signings to the Midlands club before the end of the summer transfer window and has informed Chelsea of his interest in Mudryk. Mudryk joined the latter stages of Chelsea’s pre-season tour after resolving his doping case with the Football Association. The Ukraine international has not been allowed to play since November 2024 after being provisionally suspended for returning an ‘adverse finding’ for the banned substance meldonium. Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk (Picture: Reuters) The FA ended its anti-doping proceedings after Mudryk accepted breaching anti-doping rules and agreed to a suspension equal to the one year and eight months already served. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he was ‘very happy’ to welcome Mudryk back into his squad but that it was ‘too early’ to determine his performance levels. A loan move seems likely to give Mudryk the chance to get regular minutes and get back to the form that earned him a £62m move to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea academy graduate Josh Acheampong (Picture: Getty) Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg are interested in striking a deal but Fabrizio Romano has reported that Mudryk would prefer to remain in the Premier League next season if a loan becomes inevitable. Mudryk is not the only Chelsea player attracting interest from Coventry, with Lampard also keen to discuss a possible deal for Josh Acheampong, according to talkSPORT. Stamford Bridge academy graduate Acheampong has made 44 appearances for Chelsea since making his first-team debut in 2024, including 30 last season. New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty) The 20-year-old is viewed as one of the most highly-rated young defenders in Europe and as a result is deemed ‘untouchable’ by Chelsea bosses. Chelsea have already rejected several approaches for Acheampong but may see the benefit of the youngster spending a season under club legend Lampard. ‘Keep an eye on Josh Acheampong,’ talkSPORT’s Alex Crook said. ‘He’s a player that Frank Lampard would like to take to Coventry. ‘And as we get towards the end of this window, there is a possibility that Chelsea might be willing to do that deal as well.’ Alonso suggested Chelsea would offload multiple centre-backs after signing Maxence Lacroix in a £52m deal from Crystal Palace. England’s Trevor Chalobah has also departed the west London giants, joining ex-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas at Italian side Como. Chelsea beat Real Sociedad 3-1 in their final pre-season friendly and kick-start the 2026-27 Premier League campaign against Fulham. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Emiliano Martínez potentially heading for Villa exitEngland’s Spence completes move to Inter from SpursAston Villa are preparing for the potential exit of goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez by accelerating a move for Parma’s Zion Suzuki. Juventus have revived their interest in Martínez, who is open to leaving after six seasons at Villa and is increasingly likely to depart during this transfer window. Villa are advancing a deal to sign Suzuki as the Argentina No 1’s replacement.Villa dismissed an offer from Juve for Martínez earlier this summer, but Juve have now revisited a move for the 33-year-old, who is under contract until 2029. Juve are also thought to be monitoring Ederson, now of Fenerbahce, and Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario. Suzuki was poised to join Paris Saint-Germain this week but the Champions League winners, who defeated Villa in the Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday, pulled out of a deal worth about €35m (£30m). Continue reading...
With Arsenal and Man City's first clash of the new campaign getting under way today in Cardiff, the stats gurus over at Sofascore have given the lowdown on both teams, building an ideal XI.
Hey, friends of CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano here to update you on the Enzo Fernandez saga. At the moment, what happened is that the deadline is over in terms of a verbal exit clause. Chelsea consider £120m as, basically, a release clause that was active until Friday. But no club arrived, including Manchester City, so that […] The post Fabrizio Romano exclusive: Enzo Fernandez could leave Chelsea in final two weeks of the window appeared first on CaughtOffside.
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⚽ News and buildup to the first Sunday of the EFL season⚽ Jonathan Wilson’s Community Shield preview | Mail usChampionship resultsWolves 2-2 Blackburn RoversBolton Wanderers 2-1 Preston North EndBristol City 0-2 MillwallCharlton 2-1 Derby CountyMiddlesbrough 2-1 Lincoln CityNorwich City 1-2 West BromPortsmouth 1-3 Queens Park RangersStoke City 1-2 Swansea CitySheffield United 0-0 Birmingham City Continue reading...
Arsenal and Manchester City will be clashing for the 2026 FA Community Shield, but the final won't be held at the iconic Wembley Stadium. Arsenal and Manchester City are set to go head-to-head for the first trophy of the 2026-27 season in the 2026 FA Community Shield. However, Sunday’s match will break with long-standing English tradition, as the iconic Wembley Stadium will not serve as the backdrop for this year’s edition. In English soccer, Wembley Stadium stands as the country’s ultimate cathedral, serving as the home pitch for both the men’s and women’s national teams while hosting the biggest domestic fixtures on the calendar. From lower-division promotion playoff finals to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup showpieces, Wembley has also consistently hosted the Community Shield in recent years. The fixture brings together the reigning Premier League champions and FA Cup winners from the previous campaign to battle in England’s equivalent of a super cup. Situated in London, Wembley typically provides an ideal neutral venue for traveling supporters, though 2026 will mark a rare departure from that setup. The 2026 Community Shield will not take place at Wembley Stadium because Canadian pop superstar The Weeknd is scheduled to perform his “After Hours til Dawn” tour at the venue on the exact same day. With the stadium booked and configured for a massive concert, hosting both events simultaneously was impossible, forcing the FA to relocate the match. General view outside the Wembley Stadium. (Getty Images) Where is the 2026 FA Community Shield being held? Forced away from Wembley, the 2026 Community Shield will actually take place outside of England, heading west into Wales. The clash between Arsenal and Manchester City will instead be hosted at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, a venue capable of holding 74,500 fans. This marks only the third time since 2007 that the Community Shield has moved away from London, and the first time it returns to Wales since 2006. Between 2001 and 2006, while the original Wembley Stadium was being demolished and rebuilt, the fixture was held at Principality Stadium for six consecutive years, making this a 20-year anniversary return to the Welsh capital. Other venues have also held the Community Shield First established in 1908 as the Charity Shield, the competition did not make Wembley its permanent host venue until 1974. In the decades prior, historic grounds such as Stamford Bridge, Highbury, White Hart Lane, Old Trafford, Maine Road, The Den, Molineux, and Filbert Street all played host to the annual season opener. Since the new Wembley Stadium opened its gates in 2007, only three editions of the Community Shield have been moved elsewhere. Villa Park hosted the 2012 match while Wembley served as a venue for the London Olympics, Leicester City’s King Power Stadium hosted in 2022 due to the UEFA Women’s Euro final, and now Cardiff steps in for 2026 due to concert scheduling.
Manchester City take on Arsenal in a blockbuster match for the 2026 FA Community Shield final. Manchester City and Arsenal meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff for the 2026 FA Community Shield final, with kickoff set for 10:00 a.m ET. The match doubles as a milestone occasion for City, marking Enzo Maresca’s first competitive match in charge of the club since replacing Pep Guardiola in the dugout. Arsenal qualified as reigning Premier League champions after their title-winning campaign last season, while City earned their place by winning the FA Cup in May, beating Chelsea at Wembley for their eighth FA Cup title in club history. Recent history slightly favors City in this particular fixture, with two wins in the last five head-to-head meetings between the sides. Arsenal, however, hold the more recent edge in the Community Shield specifically, having won the last time these two clubs met in this exact competition back in 2023, on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Both sides arrive with contrasting preseason form. Arsenal posted a mixed 2-2-1 record in their warm-up matches, including defeats to Real Betis and Borussia Dortmund, though they did beat Girona 4-1. City, meanwhile, looked sharper in their own preparation, beating Atlético Madrid 3-1 in their final tune-up, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice in that win. Just one week to go until the FA #CommunityShield 🤩Who will start their season on a high, @Arsenal or @ManCity? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/T8NcfFyx6Q— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 9, 2026 What happens if Manchester City beat Arsenal A win would hand Maresca a trophy in his very first match at the helm, giving City an ideal start to the new era and a psychological edge heading into the Premier League season opener. It would also snap Arsenal’s recent run of success in this exact fixture, avenging their 2023 Community Shield defeat to the Gunners. What happens if Manchester City and Arsenal draw The Community Shield doesn’t allow for extra time. Any match still level after 90 minutes goes straight to a penalty shootout to determine the winner, with both teams still credited with a draw on the official record despite one side lifting the trophy. What happens if Manchester City lose to Arsenal A loss would see Arsenal successfully defend the Community Shield and continue their recent dominance over City in this fixture, while also handing Maresca a defeat in his first game in charge — an inauspicious start to his tenure, even if the Community Shield itself carries more symbolic weight than competitive significance heading into the new season.
Arsenal and Manchester City meet in the 2026 FA Community Shield final, but the match won't be played at Wembley Stadium as is traditional. Arsenal and Manchester City meet today in the 2026 FA Community Shield, English soccer traditional curtain-raiser pitting the reigning Premier League champions against the FA Cup holders. This year’s edition will be played at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, marking the first time the fixture has been staged there in 20 years. The 74,500-capacity venue steps in as host for a match that has called Wembley home in all but a handful of editions since 2007. The two sides arrive with plenty of history in this competition. Arsenal have won all three of their previous meetings against City in the Community Shield — in 1934, 2014 and most recently in 2023, when the Gunners prevailed 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Manchester City, meanwhile, head into the match under new manager Enzo Maresca, who officially took over this summer as the club begins life after Pep Guardiola. History repeated? 👀🔄Arsenal have been victorious in each of the three times they've met Manchester City in the FA #CommunityShield.Who will come out on top tomorrow? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/VGIh9ESHv6— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 15, 2026 Both squads are expected to field a mix of first-team regulars and players easing back in following extended World Cup breaks, as they look to kick off the new season with silverware already on the line. Why the match isn’t being played at Wembley The Community Shield has been held at Wembley every year since 2007, with only a couple of exceptions, but this year’s edition had to find a new home. According to organizers, Wembley Stadium is unavailable due to a pre-scheduled run of concerts by The Weeknd, forcing the FA to relocate the match to Principality Stadium in Cardiff — the same venue that hosted the fixture the last time it left Wembley two decades ago.
Samuel Barrott has been assigned as the referee to officiate the 2026 FA Community Shield Final between Arsenal and Manchester City. Arsenal and Manchester City are set to face off on Sunday, August 16, in the FA Community Shield final with the first hardware of the 2026-27 season on the line. With all procedural details finalized, match officials have officially been appointed for the clash at Principality Stadium. The match referee tasked with officiating the 2026 Community Shield is Samuel Barrott. The 33-year-old official has made a rapid rise through the English ranks, taking charge of Premier League fixtures since 2024 and joining the official FIFA refereeing list in 2025. The 2026 Community Shield will mark the third major final of Barrott’s career. The English referee previously officiated the 2023-24 EFL League One Playoff Final between Bolton Wanderers and Oxford United (a 2-0 Oxford victory), and most recently handled the UEFA U19 EURO Final between Spain and Germany (a 2-0 win for Spain). Barrott will lead the crew on the pitch alongside assistant referees Craig Taylor and Blake Antrobus, with Farai Hallam serving as the fourth official on the touchline. The Community Shield final will feature full VAR implementation, led by lead VAR official James Bell and assistant VAR Tim Wood. Referee Sam Barrott shows Nick Pope of Newcastle United a yellow card during the Premier League clash vs. Arsenal. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Complete list of match officials Referee: Sam Barrott1st assistant: Craig Taylor2nd assistant Blake Antrobus4th Official: Farai HallamReserve Assistant Referee: Alistair NelsonVAR: James BellAVAR: Tim Wood Barrott’s record with Arsenal and Manchester City Sam Barrott made his Premier League officiating debut back in October 2023 during a fixture between Fulham and Sheffield United at Craven Cottage that ended in a 3-1 win for the host side. Since then, he has overseen several high-profile matches involving both Man City and Arsenal across top-flight English soccer and domestic cup competitions. When overseeing the Citizens, Barrott has officiated six matches, including four in the Premier League, one in the Carabao Cup, and one in the FA Cup. His most recent Man City fixture was an FA Cup round of 16 clash against Newcastle United, which ended in a 3-1 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side. In those six matches under Barrott, Man City hold a 4-2 record while outscoring opponents 16-6. Arsenal hold an even stronger mark under Barrott’s whistle, boasting nine wins and just one defeat across 10 matches. However, that single loss came in a major fixture, the 2025-26 FA Cup quarterfinal, where second-tier Southampton eliminated the Gunners 2-1. His most recent Arsenal match was a Premier League tilt that ended in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United.
The 2026 FA Community Shield is here, with Arsenal and Manchester City fighting for the title on Sunday, August 16. Here are all the details on how to watch this match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Arsenal vs Manchester City on US television and via legal streaming: WHO: Arsenal vs Manchester City WHAT: Community Shield WHEN: 10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT • Sunday, August 16, 2026 WHERE: Fubo STREAM: WATCH NOW Match Overview Arsenal enter the new season’s curtain-raiser with sky-high expectations after shattering Manchester City’s domestic dominance to claim the 2025/26 Premier League title. The Gunners, built on the league’s best defense, finally reached the summit and now have the chance to secure the first piece of silverware of the new campaign and prove their championship was no fluke. Across the pitch, Manchester City begins a new era. With legendary manager Pep Guardiola’s reign over, former assistant Enzo Maresca takes the helm for his first competitive match. Despite losing their league crown, City remained unbeaten against the Gunners last season and will be fueled by the urgency to make an immediate statement that they are still the team to beat in England. Tactical Analysis & Match Context This clash pits the newly crowned champions against a powerhouse in transition. Arsenal’s title-winning campaign was a masterclass in defensive solidity, finishing with the lowest expected goals against (28.3 xGA) in the division. Their momentum is strong, and the challenge is now to build a lasting dynasty. The tactical battle will be fascinating, setting Arsenal’s disciplined structure and lethal set-piece prowess against Maresca’s expected possession-heavy system. The game will likely be decided by whether Arsenal’s organized press can disrupt City’s build-up or if City’s world-class attack, which led the league in scoring last season, can find cracks in the Gunners’ formidable backline. For both squads, the motivations are crystal clear. Arsenal is determined to solidify its status as England’s top club by adding another trophy to the cabinet. For Manchester City, this is a crucial opportunity for Maresca to begin his tenure with a statement win and signal that the club’s hunger for trophies remains as intense as ever, even in a new chapter. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, Arsenal holds the upper hand in this fixture, having won 101 of the 216 all-time meetings between the clubs. However, the recent dynamic has shifted dramatically in favor of their opponents from Manchester. In the last six encounters, Arsenal has managed just a single victory, highlighting City’s modern dominance. Last season, Manchester City took four points from the two league meetings and also defeated the Gunners in the EFL Cup final, asserting their authority over the eventual league champions. Recent games have consistently produced goals, with both teams scoring in four of the last five matchups. These fixtures have averaged a high-scoring 3.4 goals per game, suggesting an entertaining affair is likely. Furthermore, a draw at halftime has been a frequent outcome, occurring in six of the last ten head-to-head clashes. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both managers face significant selection headaches due to injuries and the staggered return of players from summer international duty, which will heavily influence their starting XIs. Arsenal has been dealt a massive blow with key defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber sidelined with long-term injuries, forcing Mikel Arteta into a defensive reshuffle. Additionally, core players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are returning late, raising questions about their match fitness for this crucial opener. Manchester City is also navigating a period of transition. The squad is without holding midfielder Rodri, while defensive stalwarts John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji have all departed the club. Star striker Erling Haaland has had limited
Coventry manager and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard (Picture: Getty) Frank Lampard has expressed interest in signing a second Chelsea star for Coventry City after making an approach for Mykhailo Mudryk. Lampard is keen to bolster his Coventry squad further as he prepares for their return to the Premier League. Coventry face Premier League champions Arsenal in their opening fixture of the new season after storming to the Championship title last term. The Sky Blues have signed Caleb Yirenkyi, Carl Rushworth, Lous Tchauouna, Aurele Amenda, Gustavo Hamer, Frank Onyenka and Normal Bassette so far this summer. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. But Lampard wants to welcome a few more signings to the Midlands club before the end of the summer transfer window and has informed Chelsea of his interest in Mudryk. Mudryk joined the latter stages of Chelsea’s pre-season tour after resolving his doping case with the Football Association. The Ukraine international has not been allowed to play since November 2024 after being provisionally suspended for returning an ‘adverse finding’ for the banned substance meldonium. Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk (Picture: Reuters) The FA ended its anti-doping proceedings after Mudryk accepted breaching anti-doping rules and agreed to a suspension equal to the one year and eight months already served. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said he was ‘very happy’ to welcome Mudryk back into his squad but that it was ‘too early’ to determine his performance levels. A loan move seems likely to give Mudryk the chance to get regular minutes and get back to the form that earned him a £62m move to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea academy graduate Josh Acheampong (Picture: Getty) Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg are interested in striking a deal but Fabrizio Romano has reported that Mudryk would prefer to remain in the Premier League next season if a loan becomes inevitable. Mudryk is not the only Chelsea player attracting interest from Coventry, with Lampard also keen to discuss a possible deal for Josh Acheampong, according to talkSPORT. Stamford Bridge academy graduate Acheampong has made 44 appearances for Chelsea since making his first-team debut in 2024, including 30 last season. New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty) The 20-year-old is viewed as one of the most highly-rated young defenders in Europe and as a result is deemed ‘untouchable’ by Chelsea bosses. Chelsea have already rejected several approaches for Acheampong but may see the benefit of the youngster spending a season under club legend Lampard. ‘Keep an eye on Josh Acheampong,’ talkSPORT’s Alex Crook said. ‘He’s a player that Frank Lampard would like to take to Coventry. ‘And as we get towards the end of this window, there is a possibility that Chelsea might be willing to do that deal as well.’ Alonso suggested Chelsea would offload multiple centre-backs after signing Maxence Lacroix in a £52m deal from Crystal Palace. England’s Trevor Chalobah has also departed the west London giants, joining ex-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas at Italian side Como. Chelsea beat Real Sociedad 3-1 in their final pre-season friendly and kick-start the 2026-27 Premier League campaign against Fulham. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Emiliano Martínez potentially heading for Villa exitEngland’s Spence completes move to Inter from SpursAston Villa are preparing for the potential exit of goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez by accelerating a move for Parma’s Zion Suzuki. Juventus have revived their interest in Martínez, who is open to leaving after six seasons at Villa and is increasingly likely to depart during this transfer window. Villa are advancing a deal to sign Suzuki as the Argentina No 1’s replacement.Villa dismissed an offer from Juve for Martínez earlier this summer, but Juve have now revisited a move for the 33-year-old, who is under contract until 2029. Juve are also thought to be monitoring Ederson, now of Fenerbahce, and Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario. Suzuki was poised to join Paris Saint-Germain this week but the Champions League winners, who defeated Villa in the Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday, pulled out of a deal worth about €35m (£30m). Continue reading...
With Arsenal and Man City's first clash of the new campaign getting under way today in Cardiff, the stats gurus over at Sofascore have given the lowdown on both teams, building an ideal XI.
Hey, friends of CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano here to update you on the Enzo Fernandez saga. At the moment, what happened is that the deadline is over in terms of a verbal exit clause. Chelsea consider £120m as, basically, a release clause that was active until Friday. But no club arrived, including Manchester City, so that […] The post Fabrizio Romano exclusive: Enzo Fernandez could leave Chelsea in final two weeks of the window appeared first on CaughtOffside.
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