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[SamuelJayC]

Arsenal v Manchester City, Sunday 10th August 3pm, Wembley Stadium, Community Shield, BT Sport


Alexis is expected to start at Wembley for the season's curtain-raiser against Manchester City.


As Arsène Wenger and his squad head to Wembley Stadium on Sunday, many thoughts are likely to be on the Frenchman's mind. Who replaces the Barcelona-bound Thomas Vermaelen as captain? Do I sign one centre-back and one holding midfielder or a player who can play both? Do I send Yaya Sanogo out on loan to gain invaluable experience or do I need him this season? Indeed, there are several questions running through managers' heads all across Europe just now, and the season's curtain-raiser between Arsenal and Manchester City this weekend ought to answer a few Wenger's queries.

Pre-season victories against Boreham Wood and Benfica and defeats against New York Redbulls and Monaco have given the Emirates faithful a glimpse of the future. The signing of £35m Chilean superstar Alexis Sánchez, which represented the club's second marquee arrival in the last year, reminded the football world of Arsenal's increased financial power - the '10-year plan' finally paying off. One of the former Barça forward's most intriguing attributes is the versatility he brings; able to operate on either flank or through the middle - meaning the early-season absences of Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski shouldn't affect the side at all.

Joel Campbell has returned from a productive loan spell in Greece, and in the destruction of Portuguese champions Benfica last weekend, demonstrated his exciting potential. The Costa Rican striker is another who can play across the front line, giving Wenger many options at the start of the upcoming campaign. Elsewhere, Sanogo's four-goal display against Jorge Jesus' side brought fresh hope that the often chastised ex-Auxerre forward can prove a solid member of the Arsenal squad.

David Ospina, the talented Colombian goalkeeper signed from Nice for £3.5m, missed out on the Emirates Cup but Calum Chambers, a £16m addition from Southampton, was perhaps the gunners' best performer last weekend. The 19-year old looks a commanding presence, even at his tender years, comfortable on the ball and able to play at right-back and in midfield. French international Mathieu Debuchy also joined this summer from Newcastle for £12m and, along with the continued development of Héctor Bellerín, will hope to ensure the loss of stalwart Bacary Sagna isn't felt as sharply as first feared.

Wenger admitted on TV last week that he may yet add two more to his squad before the transfer window closes on September 1st at 11pm. Though, the five-time FA Cup winner admits his current group is "big", and that some may follow Vermaelen out of the door. World Cup-wining trio Mesut Özil, Per Mertesacker and Podolski won't return until after the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, whilst Walcott is scheduled to return in September. Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho is the subject of major Arsenal interest, whilst the search for cover at the back continues, with Liverpool's talented, yet injury-prone Daniel Agger a potential option.

But that can wait. There are three weeks remaining for Wenger and the often-ridiculed, now exalted Ivan Gazidis to do some further business. The first-team will be focused on the club's first Community Shield fixture in nine years. Manuel Pellegrini's champions - who have added shrewdly this summer: Willy Caballero, Fernando, Sagna and soon-to-be Eliaquim Mangala - will be without a host of key players on Sunday, but, nevertheless, an interesting afternoon lies ahead.


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.

* City have won the Community Shield or Charity Shield on four occasions, but never at Wembley.

* Arsenal won their final 7 games of last season (5 League, 2 FA cup).

* Only 7 times in the last 22 Community Shield games have the winners gone on to claim the league title.


Team News

Arsenal

Özil, Mertesacker & Podolski return to training on Monday, whilst Walcott is back in training but won't be fit until September. Ospina (thigh) & Diaby (hip) are unavailable whilst Vermaelen is in Barcelona for a medical.

Man City

Kompany, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Agüero, Demichelis, Lampard & Sagna only returned to training this week & won't be available, whilst Negredo (foot) is injured.

Arsenal subs: Martínez, Hayden, Monreal, Wilshere, Campbell, Sanogo, Giroud

Man City subs: Caballero, Richards, Zuculini, García, Sinclair, Milner, Džeko

[REWB]

where is flamini? he should start

[Jay29]

It's worth pointing out that if the score is level after 90 minutes, the game will go straight to penalties and not extra-time.

The trophy is meaningless but the performance and result isn't. This is an early chance to improve on our record against the big sides and a win would not only give the players a confidence boost but also keep that good feeling amongst the fans going.

What will be key is the fitness levels of both sides. City have played more games than us at this point and a lot of the players in the team they'll put out have got four or five games behind them, whereas some of our players will be playing their second or third game (Koscielny, Chambers, Debuchy, Chamberlain, Alexis...). The likes of Navas and Jovetic have looked very sharp in pre-season while most of our forwards are still searching for that sharpness. Ultimately, that could be where the difference lies.

Tactically, the key battles will be down the sides, I reckon. Overlapping fullbacks are a regular feature of City's attack and with no Zabaleta, they're threat down the right hand side may not be as potent as usual so Cazorla, if he plays that side, may not have to worry too much about defensive duties, while Gibbs will be responsible for dealing with Navas. On the other side, you've got the danger of Kolarov's runs, so we've either got to ensure we track them all the way or pin him back into a defensive position.

Selection-wise, who plays in the forward line is up for debate. Wenger wasn't sure if Giroud would be fit enough to play, so it could be Alexis or Sanogo that starts the game down the middle. Then he's got to choose from Cazorla, Chamberlain and Campbell for the wide positions. I'm relatively sure that Alexis and Cazorla will start, but that third spot is up in the air.

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

Injure all their players pls.

[RealGunner]

This is another pre-season game which just gets more hyped. Although it's a game which I hope we win anyways. Back to back Wembley trophies would be nice.

Our fitness level should still be shit because it can't magically improve in just a week. We will most likely start strong and give up around 70 odd minutes.

The players should be fired up for it though. If Sanogo is fit then I would start him instead of Giroud due to what Jay said.

Going for an Arsenal win.

[Nishankly]

How is this meaningless its a trophy at Wembley, Worth almost as much as COC imo.

Arsenal win on penalties imo

[El Gunner]

I want a good performance and a win pls.

[Sina]

Great Work Sam

given defenders we face starting Sanogo should be better
he can trouble them with his power and Athleticism
maybe either of Sanchez OR campbell making runs between Clichy/Boyata

expect 1-2 format of our midfield continue
with Arteta behind Ramshere
would have preferred Alexis central behind CF

we shouldnt look to control
go for Counter and try not conceding 1st

still missing some personnel but hope we defend set pieces much better,its real worry as it has decided shape of the game alot of times(away at city/Pool/United)

[Jay29]

I'd fear for us if we played with a 1-2 in midfield. Arteta always ends up isolated and the last thing you want is Arteta to be alone when dealing with Silva, Nasri and Jovetic dropping into pockets of space.

Hopefully it's a 2-1, with Ramsey alongside Arteta and Rosicky in front of them. Gives us better protection and Rosicky is better than Wilshere at getting us up the pitch.

[MJ]

I want a win, I want the trophy, I want to beat City.

But ultimately, 3 points vs Palace > tomorrow's game

But winning could go a long way to boosting morale so, for me, that's the biggest motivation the club should need to win it.

[abirking]

Revenge is a dish best served in a "cup".
I thought most of City's first team will be available but it seems that most of them are only returning. However even them they could field a team capable of beating most BPL teams. Worried a little bit about our Defence with Chambers and Koscielny only CBs. A thrashing would be a kick in the gut for both the team and the fans.
Teamwise I would go with Flamini and Arteta in the Midfield to add a bit more muscle and solidity.
Also Giroud to play. He maybe inept infront of goal but he is good in defending set pieces and will give nastatic and boyata trouble with his power.

[RealGunner]

TEAM NEWS MAN CITY: Caballero, Clichy, Boyata, Nastasic, Kolarov, Navas, Fernando, Toure (C), Nasri, Jovetic, Dzeko

[RealGunner]

Arsenal team to play Man City: Szczesny, Debuchy, Koscielny, Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Sanogo

Arsenal subs v Man City: Martinez, Monreal, Flamini, Campbell, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.

[djoe26]

I wouldnt start Arteta but however Sanogo got this!

[Sina]

COYG

[EL Patron]

Is Jack playing attacking mid or left mid    

[RealGunner]

RCM I think in a 4-3-3

[sportsczy]

Time for Sanogo to break the ice in an official game...

[RealGunner]

Let's hope so.

[REWB]

flamini, rosicky should be playing imo.

flamini--->arteta

rosicky--->wilshere in big games.

oh well

i would have ox instead of cazorla but i understand in a big games controlling the midfield is crucial so cazorla is in.

[EL Patron]

Dat finish from Santi   

[Rev]

COYG!

Need to keep that backline tight!

[Rev]

Ladies and Gents!

THAT'S how you counter-attack

[VendettaRed07]

l love Sanogoal. He can start for us. l like Giroud, but he always seemed to play one step behind everyone else. l feel like Sanogo, even if he doesn't score, is making the types of runs everyone else wants him to and seems to at least be on the same page.

We are just playing fantastic right now.

[RealGunner]

Fit Wilshere

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