football.london reporters select their Arsenal starting XIs for the Community Shield clash against Manchester City
Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes could earn his first Arsenal start
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Arsenal are back in action on Sunday when they collide with Manchester City in the Community Shield in Cardiff.
Mikel Arteta is finally expected to have Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi back available but their minutes will be managed as they are slowly reintegrated.
Bruno Guimaraes is also pushing to make his debut and this is the last chance for Arteta to cast an eye over his squad before the Premier League champions kickstart their new campaign on Friday at home to Coventry City.
football.london reporters Tom Canton and Ryan Taylor have had their stab at picking their sides to face City, in what is sure to be a thrilling contest.
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Tom Canton
There is a chance that nearly the whole squad could be back for this affair as we get a look at how the two title favourites are shaping up. I don’t have a great feeling about the Gunners’ chances though right now.
City just seem more ready but this should still be competitive. Bruno Guimaraes getting his first start in a midfield three I have some good feelings for especially with how sharp Martin Odegaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly now look.
This is a great test for the young star Max Dowman with both Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke having to fight their way into the first team. Christos Tzolis gets his first taste of top English football action for Arsenal, and will be battling against Matheus Nunes.
Kai Havertz tends to get the nod in the big games and it is clear to see why. Plenty of quality this time from the bench to use.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Man City: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Dowman, Havertz, Tzolis
Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres
Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres are both pushing to start for Arsenal
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Ryan Taylor
I think Mikel Arteta's hands are tied behind his back on this one because a lot of players are not yet up to speed.
I also think there could be loads of changes, even as early as 30 minutes, if Arteta chooses to start Rice, Saka or Zubimendi.
However, the team kind of picks itself outside of up top, where there's a decision to make on who starts out of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz.
I'd go for the same back-four that faced Borussia Dortmund with Guimaraes earning his first start in midfield alongside MLS.
Martin Odegaard should start as the No.10 with Max Dowman, Christos Tzolis and Havertz leading the line.
Havertz was lively against Man City at the Etihad in April, so I think he'll get the nod over Gyokeres on this one.
Taylor's Arsenal XI vs Man City: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Dowman, Tzolis, Havertz.
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