Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley this evening, and here’s our predicted Gunners XI.
Mikel Arteta won this trophy just before his first full season as the Arsenal manager. He won it as a player as well, so he knows what needs to be done to get us over the line. However, Manchester City are the best team in the world, and it will not be easy.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Manchester City in the Community Shield
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a number of decisions to make ahead of the Community Shield clash against Manchester City this evening.
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Gabriel Jesus is out with an injury, while it’s unlikely Oleksandr Zinchenko will play a part in the game today having just returned from his long-term issue.
Our three new signings, however, are all available, and we think two of them will start. Here’s how we think Arteta will set his side out today:
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Aaron Ramsdale will start in goal with a back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber.
The Dutchman is naturally a right-back, but he’s more than capable of playing on the opposite side – he did that brilliantly in pre-season.
In the midfield, we expect Declan Rice to start alongside Thomas Partey. Both players will have to be at their absolute best if we are to get anything away from the game today.
Three of our four attackers are obvious picks – Gabriel Martinelli on the left, Bukayo Saka on the right and skipper Martin Odegaard pulling the strings from his usual number 10 position.
With Jesus out, Arteta has to choose between Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and new signing Kai Havertz – we think he’ll go with the £27 million Belgian this evening.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Manchester City: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Martinelli, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard.