Arsenal – Man City

FA Cup holders Arsenal and league winners Manchester City will square off in the FA Community Shield at Wembley – a competition which may not be as fancied as others, but gives both sides the chance to add some silverware.

Arsenal finally ended a trophy drought that was threatening to last over a decade by winning the FA Cup. It could have been an even better season for Arsenal, as they led the league coming into the winter, but injuries and lack of January signings saw them only finishing 4th and suffering some humiliating defeats along the way (0-6 Chelsea, 1-5 Liverpool). This season Wenger finally splashed the cash and brought in some class players like Sanchez, Chambers and Debuchy, making Arsenal look like title contenders. However, the Gunners still have some problems at the back, as they have yet to bring in a holding midfielder (pressing issue) and sold Vermaelen without bringing in a replacement. In friendlies Arsenal was rather inconsistent, alternating boring defeats with entertaining, high scoring wins, but friendlies have very little importance as we all know.

Manchester City was surprisingly shy in the transfer market so far, they did not spend too much money to bring in relevant players and they will look roughly the same as they did last season coming into this match. In the friendlies they played so far City showed some entertaining all out attacking football, scoring goals all over the place while also conceding a lot – it remains to be seen if they will improve their defense this time around, they should look better than in some meaningless friendlies, but with many key players missing at the back after the World Cup it might be tough. City will have a weakened side for this match.

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Team news & lineups

Both sides will miss a fair share of players who are either injured or on vacation. Arsenal will be without Walcott, Gnabry, Myiachy, while Ozil, Ospina, Podolski and Mertesacker will probably sit out, or start from the bench. City will miss Negredo, Aguero, Fernandinho, Demichelis, Zabaleta, Kompany, Sagna and Lampard.

Arsenal: Szczesny – Debuchy, Koscielny, Chambers, Gibbs – Wilshere, Arteta – Alexis, Ramsey, Cazorla – Giroud

Manchester City: Hart – Clichy, Nastasic, Boyata, Kolarov – Fernando, Toure – Silva, Nasri, Milner – Dzeko

Clearly Arsenal comes into this match with a much better squad, including their top signings, most notably Alexis Sanchez. Ozil and Wallcott (who is out for many months) are their only top class missings. Manchester City on the other hand will have to do without a lot of their key players and this could well end up costing them the trophy. I`ll also give the edge to Arsenal because of their hunger for trophies, which should make a difference in a competition like the Community Shield. Considering the above analysis the over 2,5 goals bet also looks like a great choice, I initially wanted to go with that pick, but I will take a calculated risk and tip Arsenal to win the Community Shield at much better odds. There`s a lot of enthusiasm at Arsenal right now and I expect them to be the more ready and motivated side today. Prediction: Arsenal – Manchester City 2-1.

Pick: Arsenal to win the Community Shield
Odds: 2.25 @ Unibet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 10
Event date: 10 August