The Community Shield is the annual signal to Premier League fans that the season has begun and the football season is now ready to begin.
In its 101st edition, the Community Shield has long been tipped to herald the start of the league and this year is no different as it is set to take place on Sunday 6th August, with the start of the Premier League fixture set for later this week. on Friday.
The competition pits the defending Premier League champions against the FA Cup winners. However, in years where the same team wins both trophies, the Premier League runners-up qualify instead.
That is the case this year as Manchester City have won both the Premier League and the FA Cup, so league runners-up Arsenal are set to play against last year’s treble winners.
Injury & Team News
Arsenal will be without two former City players for this game. Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko won’t play any part in the match.
Kevin De Bruyne has not played a single minute in the pre-season. Pep confirms that he is close to a return. Nathan Ake is another doubt for this match.
Arsenal vs Man City Predicted Lineup
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
A. Ramsdale, J. Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, B. White, D. Rice, T. Partey, M. Odegaard, G. Martinelli, B. Saka, K. Havertz
Manchester City (4-1-3-2)
Ederson, Laporte, Dias, Stones, Walker, Rodri, Grealish, Bernardo, Foden/ De Bruyne, Haaland, Alvarez