Players returning from extended post-tournament breaks often provide a late boost to squad depth. Managers carefully assess fitness before deciding on involvement in the traditional season curtain-raiser. New signings who featured briefly in the final friendly push for a first start.
Defensive absences force familiar combinations at the back. Impressive pre-season form from recent arrivals creates selection dilemmas on the flanks. Predicted line-ups help supporters visualise how the side may look in Cardiff.
READ MORE: Manchester City predicted line-up to face Arsenal in Community Shield
Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are set to be available for Arsenal’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City on Sunday. The trio have not played a minute in pre-season after only resuming training at the start of the week following extended World Cup breaks.
Mikel Arteta confirmed their involvement at his pre-match press conference. “They will be available,” the Arsenal manager said. “They trained with us today, they will train tomorrow. If they are in the condition we expect them to be, they will be involved.”
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Bruno Guimaraes is in line to make his first Arsenal start. The Brazil international came off the bench in the midweek friendly against Como and could now partner Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba remain unavailable, meaning Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are expected to start on the right of defence.
Christos Tzolis has been one of Arsenal’s most impressive performers this summer and is pushing for a place ahead of Gabriel Martinelli. Kai Havertz is often preferred in the biggest games and is expected to lead the line.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.
The Community Shield kicks off at 3pm BST on Sunday 16 August at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and will be shown on TNT Sports. Arsenal will look to begin the new campaign with silverware against the FA Cup holders. Further confirmation of the starting line-up is expected closer to kick-off as Arteta balances freshness with the need for a competitive edge.