Bruno Guimaraes Set for Arsenal's First Start Against Manchester City
Bruno Guimaraes is set for his first Arsenal start – and it could come on one of English football’s showpiece stages.
The Brazilian midfielder, a high-profile summer arrival, is in contention to be named in Mikel Arteta’s XI for the Community Shield clash with Manchester City in Cardiff. He came off the bench in the final pre-season outing against Como in midweek, a brief but important tune-up that now positions him to step straight into the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.
Big guns back for Arsenal
Arsenal’s preparations had looked disjointed with several key names missing, but the picture has changed quickly. Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are all expected to return to the squad after extended post-World Cup breaks.
None of the trio has played a single minute in pre-season. They only rejoined full training at the start of the week, handed extra time off after their summer exertions. The workload has ramped up sharply in recent days and, crucially for Arteta, they have come through it.
“They will be available,” Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference. “They trained with us today, they will train tomorrow. If they are in the condition we expect them to be, they will be involved.”
The message is clear: they are back, but they will be handled carefully.
Guimaraes to anchor a reshaped midfield
That caution is likely to shape Arsenal’s starting selection. With Saka, Rice and Zubimendi only just up to speed, Guimaraes is well placed to start from the off, with Myles Lewis-Skelly expected to join him in midfield. The academy product has been a constant presence across pre-season, starting every friendly and earning Arteta’s trust with his energy and composure.
Guimaraes’ presence alongside Lewis-Skelly would give Arsenal a fresh look at the base of midfield, freeing Martin Odegaard to dictate higher up the pitch and offering a glimpse of how Arteta might evolve his side for the new campaign.
Defensive absences force Arteta’s hand
At the back, Arteta’s options are more restricted. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba remain unavailable, so the right side of the defence almost picks itself. Ben White is set to start, with Cristhian Mosquera alongside Gabriel in central defence and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back.
It is a back line short on its usual depth but not on quality, and it will be tested immediately by a City side that rarely eases into a season.
Tzolis pushes for statement start
Further forward, Christos Tzolis has been one of the standout stories of Arsenal’s summer. Sharp, direct and productive, he has forced his way into the conversation for a starting role on the left.
He is battling Gabriel Martinelli for that spot, with the Brazilian forward continuing to be linked with a move to Turkey. The uncertainty around Martinelli’s future only adds weight to Tzolis’ claim; form and focus are on his side.
On the opposite flank, Saka’s return offers Arteta a major boost, even if his minutes are likely to be managed. Odegaard should operate in his familiar central role, knitting together Arsenal’s attacks.
Havertz trusted for the big stage
Up front, Kai Havertz remains Arteta’s go-to option when the stakes rise. The German has often been trusted in Arsenal’s biggest fixtures, his movement and link play central to how the team builds attacks.
All of that points towards a side that blends new faces, pre-season rhythm and returning stars carefully brought back into the fold.
Arsenal’s predicted XI vs Manchester City: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.
Saliba and Timber stay on the injury list, but the rest of the squad is beginning to take shape at just the right time.
Kick-off at 3pm BST on Sunday, August 16, 2026, live on TNT Sports. A curtain-raiser, yes — but with Guimaraes, new combinations and old rivals, it already feels like a marker for the season to come.
