Arsenal Predicted XI for Community Shield: Guimaraes Named in First Start
Bruno Guimaraes is set to begin his first match for Arsenal following his £75m transfer from Newcastle United, as the Gunners prepare for the season-opening fixture against Manchester City.
Arsenal are predicted to hand Bruno Guimaraes his first start for the club when they face Manchester City in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The match, scheduled for 3pm BST on Sunday, 16 August 2026, serves as a critical early measure of Mikel Arteta’s squad following an extended summer break.
Guimaraes, who joined Arsenal from Newcastle United for a reported £75m, stepped off the bench in the midweek victory over Como. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that the Brazil midfielder, alongside Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli, has returned to training and is available for selection. Arteta stated at his pre-match conference that the players trained with the squad and would be involved provided they met expected fitness conditions.
The midfield pairing is expected to see Guimaraes partnered with Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has started every pre-season match. This combination is viewed as a strategic move to provide control and physical presence against Manchester City, where ball retention is expected to be a decisive factor in the contest.
Defensively, Arsenal remain without Jurrien Timber and William Saliba. The back line is predicted to feature Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera on the right, with William Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori completing the defence in front of goalkeeper David Raya.
In the final third, Christos Tzolis is considered for the starting lineup ahead of Gabriel Martinelli following an impressive pre-season campaign. Kai Havertz is expected to lead the attack, described as the trusted option for significant fixtures. The predicted starting eleven includes Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly, Declan Dowman, Martin Odegaard, Tzolis, and Havertz.
