Arsenal vs Manchester City Community Shield preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Arsenal take part in the unofficial 2023/24 curtain raiser on Sunday afternoon as they take on Manchester City in the Community Shield.

The Gunners’ recent success in the FA Cup has seen them compete in this fixture a few times as of late, and they’ve won all four of their Community Shield games since 2014. However, as treble-winners City won both the Premier League and FA Cup last season, Arsenal are facing City on Sunday thanks to their second-place finish in the league.

Mikel Arteta’s side long aspired to be champions, though, but a pair of defeats to the Cityzens proved crucial in derailing their charge. Pep Guardiola’s side eventually strolled to their third-straight title, and many are backing them to win their fourth on the bounce this season.

Arsenal, however, will be determined to halt City’s monopoly and claim their first crown since 2004. Their pre-season has been a mixed bag so far, but the Gunners have the talent and manager to give City another scare in 2023/24.

Arsenal vs Manchester City Community Shield preview: Prediction, team news & lineups

Here’s our preview of Sunday’s Community Shield clash between City and the Gunners.

How to watch the 2023 Community Shield

When is kick-off? Sunday 6 August

What time is kick-off? 16:00 (BST) / 11:00 (ET) / 08:00 (PT)

Where is it played? Wembley Stadium

TV channel/live stream? STV Player, STV Scotland, ITV 1, ITVX (UK) / ESPN+ (US) / Sportsnet World, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet Now Plus, Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now (Canada)

Referee? Stuart Atwell

Arsenal team news

Gabriel Jesus misses out after undergoing knee surgery in the week, and Eddie Nketiah will be expected to deputise for the Brazilian after impressing against AS Monaco. Leandro Trossard is also in contention.

We should see Arteta deploy what he believes is his strongest starting XI on Sunday. Thus, it’ll be interesting to see whether Kai Havertz or Declan Rice gets the nod in midfield with Thomas Partey set to retain his place at the base.

Jurrien Timber should start at left-back with Oleksandr Zinchenko still absent.

Man City team news

Guardiola will be without Kevin de Bruyne, who hasn’t fully recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained in the Champions League final.

The Belgian’s absence should thrust Mateo Kovacic into a starting role, with Nathan Ake also expected to be fit to start.

Arsenal vs Man City Community Shield predicted lineups

Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Havertz, Odegaard; Saka, Nketiah, Trossard.

Man City: Ederson; Akanji, Dias, Stones, Ake; Rodri, Bernardo, Kovacic; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.

Arsenal’s recent form

Arsenal 1-1 (5-4p) AS Monaco (02/08) – Emirates Cup

Arsenal 5-3 Barcelona (26/07) – Friendly

Man Utd 2-0 Arsenal (22/07) – Friendly

MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal (20/07) – Friendly

FC Nurnberg 1-1 Arsenal (13/07) – Friendly

Man City’s recent form

Man City 1-2 Atletico Madrid (30/07) – Friendly

Bayern Munich 1-2 Man City (26/07) – Friendly

Yokohama F Marinos 3-5 Man City (23/07) – Friendly

Prediction

The recent history of this fixture would suggest it’s not indicative of how the season will play out for those that compete. Thus, we shouldn’t read too much into Sunday’s bout whether the Gunners win or lose.

Arteta’s side were sub-par on Wednesday, and they’ve looked sluggish for long periods throughout pre-season so far with the boss finding it a little trickier to stumble upon his favoured XI. These are mere growing pains, however, and I expect Arsenal to eventually purr once the new signings have found their feet.

Nevertheless, it’ll be tough for the Gunners on Sunday against the treble victors, who do look ever so slightly weaker compared to last season. City’s typical early-season rustiness will give Arsenal an avenue for victory, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the game ends in a draw.

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Man City