ikel Arteta largely has a full squad on hand as Arsenal head to the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley, but there are concerns at left-back.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is will miss the opening act of Wembleyleaving the Gunners to choose from a trio of options for the position.
Kieran Tierney has rarely been favored by Arteta, particularly given the success of Zinchenko’s reverse role, while Jakub Kiwior has replaced him on occasion during pre-season. Jurrien Timber played left-back in the Emirates Cup game against Monaco, and despite not being a natural left-back, he may be best placed to emulate Zinchenko’s role.
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Bukayo Saka missed the 1-1 draw in midweek through illness, but must be fit to startalthough Gabriel Jesús (knee) will be lost.
“Bukayo is much better, he trained today,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “I don’t expect anyone else not to play.”
There are doubts about Folarin Balogun (foot), Reiss Nelson (toe) and Albert Sambi Lokonga (muscle), however all three are unlikely to start even if fit.
Like Zinchenko, Mohamed Elneny sat out pre-season as he returned from a serious knee injury and is expected to be unavailable.
There should be competitive debuts for Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Timber, although how Arteta fits the German striker into his lineup will be another tough call. Dropping Thomas Partey for Havertz would be a bold move against City’s usual dominance of possession.
“He has played most of the minutes as an attacking midfielder but he can play on the right, he has played on the wing, coming on as a nine, as a false nine, so we’ll see,” Arteta said about his way of acting. he could play Havertz at Wembley.
“We are seeing a lot of things, the team gives you a lot of information every day and some connections and relationships that you did not expect. Sometimes you feel ‘look what’s happening there’ and it’s natural. So we have to keep our eyes open to that and not just close the door on something because that’s not the best thing to do.”
Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Madera; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli
Doubts: Lokonga, Nelson, Balogun
Injured: Gabriel Jesus, Zinchenko, Elneny
Time and date: 4pm BST, Sunday 6th August 2023
Event: wembley stadium
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