This season’s Community Shield means another early trip to Wembley for Manchester City. Snatching the league away from their opponents Arsenal. After Pep’s team dominated football last season both domestically and in Europe, the pressure will be on them to deliver once again. Manchester City will adding this trophy to the cabinet early doors, especially after losing to Liverpool in last years Community Shield.
Manchester City
It’s been a somewhat troublesome summer for Manchester City with the only arrival being Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea while seeing players such as Gundogan and Mahrez head out the exit door with a lot of rumours circling around the future of Kyle Walker.
Of course, the strength in depth Pep has at his disposal means that these departures may not hurt as much as it would other teams in their position.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will love nothing than to lay down his intentions for the season ahead by getting one over on his old boss.
After a catastrophic run in last season, which saw Manchester City snatch the title away from Arsenal – who had a huge 8 point advantage with 10 games to go, winning the Community Shield here will give them a physiological advantage going into the season next week!
Arsenal’s recruitment this season has been impressive too, with marquee signing Declan Rice already looking at home at The Emirates. Arteta has had the opportunity this summer to add quality to his team rather than a large overall that was required last summer.
Head to Head
Previous meetings doesn’t give Arsenal much (if any) hope of lifting the shield in this one. Failing to beat Manchester City since the FA Cup semi-final back in 2020! Since then it has been 8 straight victories for the Premier League champions.
Although 3 of the last 4 meetings has seen both teams find the back of the net with Manchester City winning 3 of the last 5 by at least a two goal margin.
Let’s look at the odds – Bet365
The market heavily backs Manchester City as expected at 8/11, with Arsenal huge underdogs at 10/3!
Personally I can see goals in this one with over 2.5 goals offering 4/6 – same as the both teams to score market.
Goal Machine Erling Haaland will want to start quickly and he is backed at 4/5 to score anytime and 3/1 to score first or last.
If you see this going the distance, Manchester City are 6/1 to win on penalties with Arsenal at 13/2!
Prediction
I personally fancy the underdog here with Arsenal at 7/4 to lift the trophy.
Arsenal Win
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