Arsenal and Man City set to usher in the new season
By Graham Ruthven
Same, but different
Arsenal and Manchester City are used to competing for silverware by now. The two rivals have contested each of the last three Premier League title races with Mikel Arteta finally getting the better of his former mentor Pep Guardiola last season.
Guardiola, however, is no longer City manager. Now, Enzo Maresca is leading the Etihad Stadium outfit and so Sunday’s meeting in the Community Shield could mark the start of a new chapter in this rivalry. It might follow a similar beat to recent encounters, but something about it will be different.
Maresca can make a statement as Manchester City’s new manager by leading his team to victory over the Premier League champions. The Community Shield might not be the most prestigious prize, but a strong performance by either side this weekend could bode well for the rest of the season.
Similarly, Arsenal can put down an early marker ahead of their Premier League title defence. The symbolism of Sunday’s match at Wembley Stadium might ultimately be worth more than the actual trophy that’s up for grabs.
Key players
Summer signing Christos Tzolis could be given the nod as Arsenal’s starting left winger after a positive pre-season (read more on that – here) while Martin Zubimendi might feature in central midfield with Declan Rice still being eased back in after the World Cup.
Gabriel Magalhães will be Arsenal’s defensive rock, although the Brazilian will be without his usual centre back partner William Saliba due to injury. Cristhian Mosquera or Ben White could step in as his deputy.
In attack, Kai Havertz is expected to feature somewhere in the final third with Viktor Gyökeres potentially in line to start as the Gunners’ focal point. Max Dowman might be another attacker utilised to test the Manchester City backline.
Antoine Semenyo has caught the eye in pre-season and is expected to start on the wing for Manchester City. Phil Foden could also start for the FA Cup winners ahead of an important season for the 26-year-old who was left at home by Thomas Tuchel for the World Cup.
It’s unclear whether Erling Haaland or Jérémy Doku will feature after returning late from the World Cup. This could see Omar Marmoush lead the line for City fresh from a friendly performance that saw the Egyptian bag a brace against Atlético Madrid.
Rúben Dias is almost nailed on to start in central defence with Gianluigi Donnarumma fresh from a summer off after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Team news
Saliba will miss the first two to three months of the season with a back injury while Bukayo Saka will be eased back into first team action after playing a lot of football over the course of the summer.
Jurrien Timber is sidelined for the foreseeable future while Kepa Arrizabalaga could start as Arsenal’s usual cup goalkeeper ahead of David Raya.
Elliot Anderson joined Manchester City from Nottingham Forest in a club-record £116m transfer, but might not be ready to start. The England international might have to make do with a place on the bench.
Doku and Haaland similarly might not be ready to go from the start of the match. Otherwise, Maresca has a strong squad of players to choose from for his first competitive match as City manager.
Prediction
Whether either side take the result seriously remains to be seen but Enzo Maresca has the opportunity to signal his intent ahead of another season where these two giants are expected to compete for the top prizes to come, therefore, we’ll go with a City win: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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