Arsenal set for Community Shield clash with Manchester City
Arsenal have received a triple boost ahead of their Community Shield clash with Manchester City on Sunday, with three players in line to feature, reports BritPanorama.
The Gunners enter the match in Cardiff holding the Premier League title from last season. Manchester City secured their place in this season’s curtain-raiser by defeating Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Martin Zubimendi were previously doubts for the encounter due to their involvement in the summer’s World Cup. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that all three are set to be available and will train with the squad on Saturday.
“Yeah they [Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Zubimendi] will be available, they trained with us today,” he said. “They will train tomorrow and if they are in the condition we expect them to be, they will be involved.”
Notably absent from the squad will be Jurrien Timber and William Saliba. Saliba is sidelined due to a back injury suffered while representing France against Spain in July, while Timber is still recovering from a groin injury.
Speaking about Timber’s progress, Arteta stated, “He is progressing really well. He is on the pitch; we are ramping up now, the volume and the load. I think he is in a good trajectory but there are still a few weeks to go.”
Arteta expressed the importance of careful management regarding injuries, particularly with key players. “He feels right to do that. He is such an important player for us,” he added regarding the situation with Timber. Meanwhile, Saliba’s injury is expected to take longer to resolve.
Arsenal have sought to enhance their squad ahead of the new season, already making moves for Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzorlis. Arteta hinted at additional activity in the transfer market as the team prepares to contest major trophies.
“It’s a very exciting part of the season as well,” he commented, noting the dynamism of the transfer window. “When a lot of things happen, it creates excitement, there is an opportunity as well to evolve.”
As the new campaign unfolds, Arsenal’s ambitions are clear: to compete fiercely across all competitions and to nurture a squad capable of consistent success. In the tension of this matchup lies a reminder of how silverware can shape seasons and the narratives that accompany them.
