Community Shield Preview

Arsenal v Manchester City preview

The setting may be a little unusual, but Sunday’s Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City still represents the traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season.

Author | Macca

Stadium  | Principality Stadium

With Wembley booked for a gig by The Weeknd, Cardiff will instead host an intriguing clash between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners.

It is also a meeting between the top two in the betting for this season’s title, giving Mikel Arteta and new City boss Enzo Maresca the chance to land an early psychological blow on their rival.

Maresca, in particular, will be eager to make an immediate impression on City supporters after taking on the unenviable task of succeeding the great Pep Guardiola.

Team News

City will be without midfield talisman Rodri, something they may have to become accustomed to with Barcelona pursuing his signature. The midfielder has only recently returned following his World Cup Player of the Tournament exploits.

Key lines from Maresca’s press conference

Erling Haaland is "fine" after sitting out the final part of Manchester City's open training session at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday. The striker is simply managing "some small things behind his heels".

Savinho was absent because of illness, with his availability dependent on whether he can train with the squad on Friday afternoon.

He rejected the suggestion that the Community Shield should be viewed as just another pre-season friendly, explaining: "When a trophy is there for the taking, you always try to win the game. It isn't a friendly game at all, it is a trophy opportunity."

The last time City were in the Community Shield

On facing Premier League champions Arsenal: "It is a fantastic team which is well managed and well coached by Mikel Arteta. Last season shows how good they are at the moment, but we are Manchester City and we are going to try to close the gap on them."