Defensive injuries, Bruno Guimaraes’ expected full debut and the return of key World Cup stars give Sunday’s Community Shield an edge.
Arsenal get the season underway on Sunday with an immediate examination of their credentials, facing Manchester City in the Community Shield at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The season’s traditional curtain-raiser comes with both clubs dealing with notable absentees, ensuring the focus will fall not only on the result but on how two of the country’s strongest squads have adapted over the summer.
For Arsenal, the biggest concerns are in defence.
William Saliba remains sidelined with a back injury, while Jurrien Timber is still recovering from a groin problem, leaving Mikel Arteta to reshuffle his back line.
Cristhian Mosquera is expected to partner Gabriel in central defence, with Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori likely to occupy the full-back positions.
There is better news elsewhere.
Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and David Raya have all returned to training following their post-World Cup break, with Raya even making an appearance against Como, hinting he will start in Cardiff.
Saka and Rice are expected to feature, although both appear more likely to begin on the bench after missing Arsenal’s pre-season programme, getting the last half hour of the game.
One player expected to have a far more prominent role is Bruno Guimaraes.
After making his first appearance against Como, the Brazilian could make his competitive debut from the start and is tipped to line up alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Odegaard in midfield.
City also arrive without one of their most influential players.
Rodri continues his recovery from back surgery, while Erling Haaland and Elliot Anderson have only recently returned to training after the World Cup and may also begin among the substitutes.
Phil Foden, Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush are expected to provide City’s attacking threat.
Arsenal are expected to line up with Raya in goal, White, Mosquera, Gabriel and Calafiori across the defence, Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly and Odegaard in midfield, with Max Dowman, Christos Tzolis and Kai Havertz leading the attack.
City are expected to start with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Mateo Kovacic, Nico Gonzalez, Semenyo, Foden, Jeremy Doku and Marmoush.
Arsenal’s defence will inevitably be tested, particularly on the right side where Saliba and Timber would ordinarily provide recovery pace and composure in possession.
City will naturally look to exploit those areas whenever possible.
The midfield battle could also prove decisive.
Rodri’s absence removes City’s usual point of control, while Guimaraes has the opportunity to make an immediate impression by helping Arsenal play through City’s press and dictate possession.
Arsenal’s width could also be crucial.
Odegaard’s combinations with White and Dowman on the right, together with the already impressive Tzolis and Calafiori on the left, offer one route to unsettling City’s defensive structure, while set pieces may carry even greater significance.
Neither side arrives at full strength, making this a more finely balanced contest than recent meetings might suggest.
Arsenal’s midfield appears stronger on paper, but the defensive injuries and the managed return of Saka and Rice leave them weaker than the team that claimed the Premier League crown last season.
City, meanwhile, must cope without Rodri, whose absence significantly alters their ability to control matches.
A draw after 90 minutes would be little surprise, with the Community Shield going straight to penalties if the scores are level.
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