Arsenal legend Alan Smith is expecting his former club to secure their first piece of silverware this season when they take on Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Speaking exclusively to Gooner News (courtesy of Best Betting Sites UK), Smith said he expects Mikel Arteta’s side to secure victory via a shootout:
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“I’ll go for a 1-1, Arsenal to win on pens.”
The Gunners haven’t exactly been firing on all cylinders in pre-season, but they should have several key players back for the clash at the Millennium Stadium this weekend.
Arteta will want to put down a marker for the season
The Premier League champions will be taking on a City side under new management. Enzo Maresca will be in the dugout, and securing a win against the Italian could set a precedent for the future.
Getting the better of Pep Guardiola has proven to be very difficult for Arteta, but Maresca is a different proposition, and City’s aura could fade fast if Arsenal can begin beating them on a regular basis.
For that reason, a victory in the Community Shield could have extra significance in the grand scheme of things.
When was the last time Arsenal won the Community Shield?
It has been three years since Arteta’s men won the season curtain-raiser, and it came against Manchester City, with the match being decided on penalties.
Cole Palmer put Guardiola’s team 1-0 up with 13 minutes of normal time left, but Leandro Trossard scored with a heavily deflected effort 11 minutes into added time.
Fabio Vieira scored the winning penalty, with their opponents having missed two of their spot-kicks. Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri were the guilty parties.
If Arteta does win the 2026 edition of the competition on Sunday, it will be the third time he has won it, having also beaten Liverpool on penalties in 2020.