Wembley Stadium prepares to host the exhilarating Premier League curtain-raiser, where Arsenal and Manchester City lock horns in the much-coveted Community Shield on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams approach this encounter with contrasting fortunes in recent friendlies. While Manchester City suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid, Arsenal showcased their strength by retaining the Emirates Cup with a penalty-shootout victory over Monaco.
Man City‘s summer celebrations after a historic treble have been well-deserved, but Arsenal’s impressive second-placed finish in the 2022-23 Premier League campaign earned them a well-deserved spot in the Community Shield, offering them the chance to claim silverware.
The Gunners have demonstrated their affinity for England’s Super Cup, securing victories in each of their last four Community Shield matches, including a thrilling penalty shootout win against Liverpool in 2020. Their admirable track record places them as the formidable favorites, with only two defeats in their last ten Super Cup encounters.
Mikel Arteta’s side has already clinched the friendly Emirates Cup crown, defending it with a convincing performance, and now seeks its 17th Community Shield title, trailing only behind Man United’s 21.
Manchester City, on the other hand, is determined to showcase their dominance in yet another season after an impressive trophy haul. Despite recent losses in the Super Cup to Leicester City and Liverpool, Guardiola’s squad remains a formidable force to reckon with.
Injuries loom for both sides, with former City player Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to miss the encounter for Arsenal. Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne’s absence poses a challenge for Manchester City, although they may soon welcome RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, a highly sought-after defender.
These two giants as Arsenal aims to continue their impressive Super Cup record, and Manchester City looks to add title number seven to their ever-expanding trophy cabinet.
What’s your prediction for this match?
