Arsenal and Man City face off for the season opener – who will claim the Community Shield? (Image: EA Sports/screenshot)
The English top-flight football season is very nearly back. After a long, hot summer of scorching World Cup action, Premier League champions Arsenal are getting ready to defend their crown.
But before they begin their campaign against newly-promoted Coventry City, the Gunners face the not-so-small task of a Community Shield showdown against Manchester City. Now under new boss Enzo Maresca, the Citizens will be looking to strike an early dent to Arsenal’s confidence as they begin life after Pep Guardiola. And what better way for Maresca to begin his time at City than with a trophy?
The two sides meet at 3pm on Sunday, August 16 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. But how will they fare?
We took to EA FC 26 to try and use the match engine to predict the clash. Here’s what happened.
Arsenal v Manchester City Community Shield simulated starting line-ups
Arsenal face a bit of an injury crisis before the season has even begun. Defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are both out, with Saliba having suffered a back injury during the World Cup with France and Timber reportedly “weeks away” from returning from a groin problem.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are also unlikely to start after a strenuous World Cup campaign with England. The tournament is also impacting City’s line-up, with Erling Haaland unlikely to start up top after an extended break following Norway’s performance in North America.
Midfield talisman Rodri is also likely to miss out, having been linked with a move to Barcelona and recovering from back surgery after captaining Spain to World Cup glory. Elliot Anderson could make the squad after his massive summer transfer, and our simulation picked him to start in place of Rodri.
Arsenal starting XI predicted by EA FC 26: David Raya; Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori; Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Odegaard, Miles Lewis-Skelly; Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Tzolis.
Man City starting XI predicted by EA FC 26: Geronimo Rulli; Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Nico O’Reilly; Nico Gonzalez, Elliot Anderson ; Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku; Omar Marmoush.
Enzo Maresca will hope for a strong start ot the season in Sunday’s Community Shield (Image: Getty)
Arsenal v Manchester City simulated by EA FC 26
The Community Shield simulation on EA FC 26 predicted a thrilling, end-to-end finish after a back-and-forth first half. City began the game at a frantic pace, aiming to exploit Arsenal’s second-choice defenders.
David Raya was forced into action in the 14th minute when he had to deny Omar Marmoush with his feet in what proved to be an important save. Just moments later, Antoine Semenyo squandered a golden chance when he shot straight at the Spanish goalkeeper.
After weathering the early City storm, Arsenal struck the opening blow on 35 minutes through Kai Havertz. The German forward was found by a marauding Riccardo Calafiori in acres of space inside the box and curled a sublime finish into the top right corner.
Arsenal led at half-time, and there was little to speak of until the 72nd minute. City were given a perfect chance to draw level when Marmoush was brought down by Cristhian Mosquera in the box.
But the Egyptian forward produced a catastrophic Panenka that sailed over the bar, having left Raya for dead. It proved to be his last touch of the game as he was replaced by Erling Haaland moments later.
Phil Foden did his best to spare Marmoush’s embarrassment six minutes later as he thrashed a powerful effort beyond Raya when Doku selflessly laid off the English maestro. But Arsenal had the final say two minutes from time when substitute Viktor Gyokeres surged into the box onto a through ball from Saka to finish in lethal fashion.
Omar Marmoush’s horror moment from the spot proved crucial (Image: EA Sports/screenshot)
Community Shield final result simulated by EA FC 26
Arsenal 2 – 1 Manchester City
Our simulation provided plenty of entertainment with a thrilling finish that ultimately saw Arsenal secure the first piece of silverware for the new campaign. That both Havertz and Gyokeres were on target would please Arteta, but the decisive moment fell to Marmoush.
City and Maresca would rue his moment of madness from the penalty spot, and his botched attempt at a cute finish prevented the FA Cup holders from taking charge in the dying minutes. Phil Foden did his best to provide relief, but it proved futile in the end.
The simulation highlights Arsenal’s depth, and hints that the Gunners are fully prepared for a title defence this season. Maresca’s City will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, but this would be an encouraging start to the campaign for the North London club.
