Several Arsenal stars are back in contention for the Community Shield, but Mikel Arteta still has major selection decisions to make in Cardiff.
Mikel Arteta has been handed some timely fitness boosts ahead of Arsenal’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City, though not every returning face is guaranteed a starting spot on Sunday.
Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have all returned to the squad after their extended post-World Cup breaks.
The trio did not feature at all during the Gunners’ pre-season, but Arteta confirmed ahead of the trip to Cardiff that all three had returned to training and could be involved against City.
“They will be available; they trained with us today, they will train tomorrow, and if they are in the condition that we expect them to be, they will be involved.”
The Arsenal manager also provided a fitness update on the England duo.
“We haven’t noticed anything. They have individual plans from their time with the national team. They’ve been trying to evolve those issues and they have improved.
“In the rest period that they had, they both had specific programmes for themselves. They’ve been doing those and so far, what I saw the last two or three days, it was really good.”
However, their availability doesn’t necessarily mean they will walk straight back into Arsenal’s starting XI for the Community Shield, having only completed a few training sessions. With the Premier League opener against Coventry City just five days later, Arteta will also need to manage their fitness ahead of the new league season.
Arsenal Still Without Saliba and Timber
The situation at the back remains as concerning as it was for the Gunners.
William Saliba is still out, with Arteta describing his injury as a longer-term issue that rules him out of the Community Shield.
Jurrien Timber is still making progress in his recovery, but he’s still not quite ready to return.
“Jurrien is progressing really well, he is on the pitch. We are ramping up now with certain actions and especially the volume and the load, and I think he is on a good trajectory, but there is still a few weeks to go. Wilo, as we all know, it’s more a long-term injury.”
Arteta is hopeful Timber can rejoin full training soon, but he’s not putting a timeline on the defender’s comeback just yet.
“I don’t know, we have to wait and see; he needs to start to train with the group in the next week or so, hopefully, and then see how he progresses from there.
“It’s been a long-term issue right now, and we want to make sure that every step that we take is the right one, he feels right to do that and he’s such an important player for us.”
Their absences hand likely starts to Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White, whith Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori likely to complete the back line for the Gunners.
Guimaraes and Lewis-Skelly Could Start in Midfield
With Rice and Zubimendi only just back from their extended break, Bruno Guimaraes could be handed his first Arsenal start.
Guimaraes made his debut from the bench against Como on Wednesday having completed just three training sessions since his move to North London. Arteta was encouraged by his first appearance and said the Brazilian had been pushing to get onto the pitch.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has spent much of pre-season anchoring the midfield, could line up alongside him.
After a week of transfer rumours about Lewis-Skelly’s future at Arsenal, Arteta was full of praise for the teenager, describing his pre-season as 'really consistent ’. Those performances could offer the England U21 international a way into the team while Rice and Zubimendi continue to build fitness.
Martin Odegaard should take up his usual advanced role ahead of them.
Could Max Dowman Start?
With Saka available, Arteta could go straight back to his first-choice right winger, but Max Dowman has certainly made a case for himself with an impressive pre-season. Madueke did return against Como, but is continuing
Arteta has already confirmed the 16-year-old will remain around the senior squad this season.
“Well, he’s one hundred per cent with us, that’s for sure - he’s done the pre-season, and he’s in our system in every effect. How much he’ll play is like anyone else, he needs to earn it. If he earns it, he will play; if somebody else earns it, he won’t play that much.”
Starting in the Community Shield would be a big step up for the youngster. But, having played throughout pre-season, he offers full fitness as well as a talent that the Gunners can’t ignore.
New signing Christos Tzolis could also be in line for a start against Manchester City. The Greek international has made his mark through pre-season, with a goal and two assists. He started on the bench, with just a 30-minute cameo in Arsenal’s draw to Como. Perhaps allowing some more rest ahead of a start this weekend.
Kai Havertz is often the go to to lead the line for Arsenal's biggest fixtures, so it would be unsurprising to see him start having played in each of the Gunners' pre-season matches.
Arsenal Predicted XI vs Manchester City
Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz.
Having Saka, Rice and Zubimendi on the bench would still give Arsenal plenty of options if Arteta chooses to stick with those who have racked up more pre-season minutes.
“The best version has to be on Sunday, and that’s the intention: that we have the best performance and the best way to start the season, obviously by lifting the first trophy. That’s the way we have prepared the season - from day one, to be at our maximum level because that’s the standard for us.”
Arteta has made it clear that the Community Shield is not just another warm-up. Even without some of the names that would likely be first on the teamsheet, Arsenal’s squad depth makes it feel that there isn’t as much of a gap in quality.