The Premier League season is nearly upon us as reigning champions Arsenal will host Coventry City next Friday in the opening match. 

But that’s the main course. The appetizer comes in the form of Sunday's annual FA Community Shield, the ceremonial curtain raiser on the English soccer campaign.  

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s showdown between Arsenal and Manchester City from the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales (Sportsnet One, Sportsnet , 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT):

What is the FA Community Shield?  

The FA Community Shield is an annual match contested between the defending Premier League champions (Arsenal) and the reigning FA Cup holders (Manchester City).  

Arsenal won the 2025-26 Premier League title with a seven-point advantage over second-place Manchester City, which defeated Chelsea in the FA Cup final in May.   

Manchester City took four out of a possible six points from Arsenal in the Premier League last season, thanks to a 1-1 road draw and a 2-1 home win. 

Sunday’s match is a straight knockout final, with no replays, unlike in the FA Cup.   

If the score is tied after 90 minutes of regulation, the game will go straight to penalty kicks to determine the winner. No extra time will be played.    

First game for new Man City manager Enzo Maresca 

Trying to replace Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager is a Herculean task, given that the Spaniard won all there was to win during his decade in charge of the Blues. But that’s the challenge facing Enzo Maresca, who’ll take charge of Manchester City for the first time in a competitive........

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