The long wait is (almost) over, the Premier League starts in just five day, with Manchester City traveling to face new/old members of the elite Burnley on Friday night. But before that a treat, the Community Sheild between the Citizens and Arsenal. The two best placed teams from last season will meet again to test strength and play a prelude to a probably another fierce battle for the title. And Gunners coach Mikel Arteta was not happy that his side ‘bottled’ the title race last season and as eager as ever to put things right this season. Arsenal went on another shopping spree this July, strengthening the team with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber all wrapped up before the season starts. And they all looked good in preseason, but the shadows of a doubt has been seen when Gabriel Jesus was injured before the game with Monaco. He will be missed a couple of weeks, but the Gunners proved last season they can survive without him anyway.The last time The Arsenal faced Man City in the Community Shield 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/0O9KfbUkta— Gunners (@Gunnersc0m) August 6, 2023 The new controversy is Aaron Ramsdale. Suddenly seen as a ‘weak link’, the Gunners keeper will get a serious competition from a soon arriving David Raya, Brentford’s keeper. It’s just a reminder that Arteta won’t stop at anything in his aim for the Premier League trophy. The first place which he lost during the season still bothers him. It is the first time the two clubs play each other since City’s 4-1 victory in April, which all but ended the Gunners’ hopes of lifting the Premier League for the first time since 2003-04.“Very excited to play a final and have the opportunity to win a trophy. We’re playing the team that is the team to beat. They’re the best team in Europe last season so we know what the standards are and what we’re going to need to win. Really excited” said Arteta.The man with a beautiful surname joins the Treble winnersOn the other side, Pep Guardiola is totally calm. After all his team won the treble last season, and he is not too keen on this trophy. Just a swift reminder that FA Community shield is really not so important – last season, Liverpool defeated Manchester City 3-1. But when the season ended, the Reds finished fifth and will not play the Champions League, while City won the title again.“We are going to try. But knowing how we are right now, we finished two weeks later than Arsenal and started two weeks later. We are not in the best, best way. We struggle to start every season, but it is a final and hopefully our mentality can help us to be there and compete like we have to” said the Spaniard.COMMUNITY SHIELDSunday18.00: (1.80) Man.City (3.70) Arsenal (5.00)***odds are subject to change
