Arsenal XI vs Man City: Guimaraes set for first start in Community Shield

Bruno Guimaraes is set to make his first Arsenal start in today's Community Shield clash with Manchester City. The £75million signing from Newcastle is likely to be promoted to Mikel Arteta's first XI in Cardiff after debuting off the bench in the midweek friendly draw with Como.

Key Returns Boost Arsenal

Arsenal are also set to be boosted by the returns of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Martin Zubimendi. None of the trio have played a minute in pre-season, having only resumed training at the start of the week after extended breaks following the World Cup. However, they have stepped up their work at London Colney and are set to be involved, barring any setbacks.

“They will be available,” Arteta said of Saka, Rice, and Zubimendi at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “They trained with us today, they will train tomorrow. If they are in the condition we expect them to be, they will be involved.”

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Expected Lineup and Injury News

Arsenal are expected to be cautious with their workload, meaning Guimaraes appears likely to line up alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, rather than Rice. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba remain unavailable due to injury, so Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are in line to start on the right of defence, alongside Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori.

New £34m arrival Christos Tzolis has been one of Arsenal's most impressive players this summer and will hope to get the nod over Gabriel Martinelli, who continues to be linked with a move to Galatasaray. Up front, Kai Havertz is often Arteta's preferred choice in big games and should start over Viktor Gyokeres, while David Raya will be in goal after returning for the second half against Como.