After a long time Arsenal have won a trophy last season, the prestigious FA Cup and that has given them the ticket to play in the Community Shield. Manchester City, on the other hand, emerged as the Premier League championship on the final day of the league and now the two teams will face each other off tomorrow at the Wembley stadium.
While Arsenal have won this tournament 12 times, City have managed to win it just 4 times and both the teams would hope to start the season on a winning note. But the squads they have at the moment may be a problem for either of the two teams.
Team News:
Arsenal
The Gunners are set to miss the services of Olivier Giroud, who is still suffering from match fitness as witnessed in the 1-0 loss to Monaco a few days ago, the German players of the squad are still not present and taking a break after the hectic days in Brazil. But some of their new inclusions like Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers may be on the starting berth after impressive displays in the Emirates cup and proving their fitness. New recruit goalkeeper David Ospina is also out of this match with a thigh problem and will be assessed before the start of the league games allowing Wojciech Szczesny to continue in goal.
Manchester City
City will miss the services of former Chelsea player Frank Lampard, who signed on a loan deal from New York City for the next six months, adding to the Argentine contingent who are also not in the squad as they are still on their vacation and City will have to manage without them. Alvaro Negredo is suffering from an injury and he will not be on the field for the clash against Arsenal. This makes Edin Dzeko and Jovetic the only two strikers if the team and City will have to proceed with them.
This will be the first time since Arsenal and City will face each other after the transfer of Bacary Sagna from London to Manchester and he may be on City lineup to face his former club. This will certainly be a huge moment for 31 year old, who has been extremely loyal to Arsenal over the years.
Arsenal vs Manchester City Probable Lineup:
Manchester City: Hart; Kolarov, Nastasic, Boyata, Sagna; Fernando, Yaya Toure; Navas, Nasri, Dzeko; Jovetic
Arsenal: Szczęsny; Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Rosicky; Sanogo
Arsenal vs Manchester City Match Facts:
- Manchester City have lost only one of their last eight games against Arsenal in all competitions (W4, D3).
- There have been six red cards in the last eight league matches between these sides, with City receiving four and Arsenal two.
- The Gunners last contested a Community Shield at Wembley in 1999, beating Manchester United 2-1.
- The last time they took part in the season’s traditional curtain-raiser was in 2005, when they lost 2-1 to Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Their most recent win in this fixture was against Manchester United in 2004.
- City have won the Community Shield or Charity Shield on four occasions, but never at Wembley.
- They won this fixture in 2012, beating Chelsea 3-2 in a game staged at Villa Park.
Facts compiled from BBC
Arsenal vs Manchester City Prediction:
City will like to establish that they are still the best team in the Premier League and stamp their authority on the match while Arsenal would love to count on their new found confidence to ride home victory. A 2-1 win for Arsenal for me only because of the back four that City might line-up.