Arsenal predicted starting XI to line up against Manchester City in the Community Shield

Arsenal looked to be closing in on a historic Premier League triumph for much of 2022/23, until a late loss of form allowed Manchester City to ease their way to a third consecutive title.

Despite the underwhelming finale, Mikel Arteta’s side overperformed the preseason expectations and brought about fresh hope at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have acted swiftly to address some key issues this summer and are left with a squad that looks better suited to mount a serious challenge for major honours. Ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash with City, we take a look at how they could line up...

Arsenal go big in the summer transfer window

For years, Arsenal fans complained about a lack of ambition in the transfer market. After making rapid progress in 2022/23 the club’s hierarchy approved three major signings to help Arteta’s team continue their upwards curve.

In the fixtures against City last season, most notably the 4-1 defeat in April, Arsenal were outmuscled by a team that were more physically robust than the Gunners.

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To rectify that Arsenal have ‘gone big’ in the transfer market this summer, bringing in three players to add greater physicality. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz bring height in the midfield, while Jurrien Timber has the pace and strength to fortify the Gunners’ backline.

Those three signings, included a club-record £105 million deal for Rice, have made Arsenal the biggest spenders in Europe this summer.

Arteta sticks to the same system in preseason showing

During their preseason tour of the United States Arsenal played against the MLS All-Stars, Manchester United and Barcelona, before travelling back to England to face AS Monaco in the Emirates Cup.

Across those fixtures Arteta largely stuck to the 4-3-3 formation that served his team well last season, but with some notable changes.

Havertz, who played as a forward with previous club Chelsea, has been deployed as a left-sided centre midfielder so far. The German has replaced the more industrious Granit Xhaka in the middle of the pitch and offers greater on-ball qualities.

William Saliba has been reinstated to the starting XI alongside Gabriel Magalhães after recovering from a back injury sustained in March. Timber has featured in every game, predominantly as a full back.

The only negative to emerge from the preseason for Arsenal was the injury to Gabriel Jesus, who would almost certainly have led the line for the Gunners. The Brazilian has undergone surgery on his knee and will miss the start of the new season.

Arsenal predicted starting XI to face Manchester City

Judging by the players available and the teams fielded during preseason, this is how we think Arsenal will line up against City:

Predicted Arsenal starting XI: Ramsdale - Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, White - Havertz, Rice, Odegaard - Martinelli, Nketiah, Saka

When asked about the prospect of beating City to start the new season, Arteta told reporters on Friday: “Yes. It’s time to do it.”

Arteta added that his side are “very excited to play a final and have the opportunity to win a trophy. We’re playing the opportunity that is the team to beat.”