Arsenal vs Man City Preview & Prediction | 2023 FA Community Shield
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THE FACTS
When is Arsenal vs Man City on and what time does it start? Arsenal vs Man City will take place on Sunday 6th August, 2023 – 16:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Arsenal vs Man City? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Arsenal vs Man City on in the UK? Arsenal vs Man City will be televised live on ITV
Where can I stream Arsenal vs Man City in the UK? Arsenal vs Man City can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ARSENAL
After seeing the title slip through their grasp last season, Arsenal have an opportunity to begin the new campaign on a positive note as they take on the Man City side that denied them some much sought after silverware in the previous campaign.
Mikel Arteta has strengthened his squad in the summer with the arrivals of Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, while Granit Xhaka is the most notable asset who has gone the other way. There is a good deal of expectation that they can mount another challenge then, with Rice in particular looking like an excellent acquisition in central midfield.
MAN CITY
Man City will once again head into the season as the favourites for the major silverware in England, especially after their historic treble-winning 2022-23 campaign culminated in them finally winning the coveted Champions League title.
City had been relatively quiet in the transfer market over the summer, with Mateo Kovacic their most notable signing, but that changed with the purchase of Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol in the week leading up to this match.
THE TEAM NEWS
ARSENAL
It has recently been confirmed that star striker Gabriel Jesus will miss the start of the season after having undertaken minor knee surgery, ruling him out of this match. In terms of other injury news, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice are the two major concerns having sat out recent friendly action, so Mikel Arteta will have a decision to make regarding their involvement. Jurrien Timber could well deputise at left-back, while Jorginho and Kai Havertz are candidates to occupy one of the midfield slots.
Leandro Trossard will be hoping for inclusion after a brace against Barcelona in a recent pre-season match, but the likelihood is that Arteta opts for the trio of Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
UNAVAILABLE: Lokonga (Injured), Jesus (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Zinchenko (Injured), Rice (Injured), Nelson (Injured), Balogun (Injured)
MAN CITY
Minor knocks to Nathan Ake and Kevin De Bruyne are unlikely to keep the pair out of the reckoning here, and Pep Guardiola otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from. It would be a surprise if the incoming Josko Gvardiol were to feature here so Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake are likely to form the back three, with John Stones and Rodri just ahead of them.
Further up the field, Kovacic will likely assume the departed Ilkay Gundogan’s role, while Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez will compete for the attacking spots behind Erling Haaland.
PREDICTED XI (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Ake; Rodri, Stones; Benardo, De Bruyne, Kovacic, Grealish; Haaland
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Ake (Injured), De Bruyne (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
With these two sides battling for the Premier League title last season, it seems fitting that they should lock horns to signal the start if the new campaign. Man City have actually lost the last two Community Shields, while Arsenal were victorious on their last attempt in 2020, and given how motivated the Gunners will be to get one over on City ahead of the new campaign, there is an argument to be had for them winning this. However, Man City won all three competitive meetings between the two sides last season and will want to assert their authority once more. This promises to be a competitive affair, with both teams scoring in a City win the prediction.
TIP: MAN CITY TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
