The season curtain raiser is today, and once again it sees Arsenal compete for the prestigious shield.
It is a weird situation - neither team has had much of a pre-season (Arsenal only having one game after finishing last season a week later than Liverpool, who have played 2 or 3). Then, straight after this game there is a international break for European nations (only 6 of our players involved I think).
A lot of the squad has only just returned to training, which was highlighted by the number of first team players missing the MK Dons friendly.
One talking point was the return of Bernd Leno. Fit again, and it looks like he will be #1 ahead of Emi Martinez.
William Saliba made his first appearance, and will hopefully start again in what should be a more challenging fixture. We stayed with a 3-4-3 system, and Kieran Tierney once again was used as a LCB. Whether David Luiz is back or Rob Holding continues in the 3 remains to be seen.
Despite being linked with a move away, Ainsley Maitland-Niles played wing back against MK Dons. Cedric played the other wing, with neither Hector Bellerin nor Sead Kolasinac involved.
In midfield it was a return for Mo Elneny, alongside Granit Xhaka (one of the few we lose to internationals). With Torreira and Guendouzi still at the club, it remains to be seen if either are used today with extremely depleted numbers available.
Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah joined Pierre Emerick Aubameyang in the front 3 last time out, with Pepe and Lacazette missing. The latter two will surely be involved today, even amongst some rumours of Laca leaving. Willian is expected to make his debut as well.
A lot of kids were on the bench on Tuesday, with the likes of Cottrell, Ballard, McGuiness and Azeez catching the eye.
Today will highlight the lack of depth in our squad, especially with a number of players linked to transfers. It is very much a shame we won't see Gabriel and other signings.
There is little to go on when predicting the line-up, as many first teamers have had only 2 training sessions.
I think all eyes, from an Arsenal perspective, will be on William Saliba.
Community Shield
posted on 29/8/20
We're quite good at penalties.
posted on 29/8/20
Yaaaay!!
posted on 29/8/20
Yessssss AUBA!!!!!!!!
posted on 29/8/20
2x premier league 19/20 champions
posted on 29/8/20
Auba sign da thing and AMN stay!
posted on 29/8/20
comment by Arsenal_49 (U10665)
posted 1 minute ago
Auba sign da thing and AMN stay!
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Agree!
posted on 29/8/20
Add Partey and Aouar to this team and we are good to go.
posted on 29/8/20
Hope there's still a chance of getting Ceballos too.
posted on 29/8/20
There is 0% chance we are signing Aouar
posted on 29/8/20
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 2 hours, 7 minutes ago
comment by sammy nelson sbum (U6244)
posted 1 minute ago
Elneny has been at this club for 4 years. Been crap for 4 years
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no one is saying he is going to be a starter. but if he can show he can do a role being in the squad is useful cause lets face it we can't get rid of players that wenger gave huge contracts to. thats why he has been on loan for 2 years.
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Elneny will never be more that a 6/10 player at best - very occasionally you'll get a 7/10 performance from him and also occasionally you'll get a 5/10 but he's super consistent at the 6's, a solid player.
What used to really irritate me was that he continued to blast shots over the bar when he was playing more regularly for us in nearly every game, if he can cut his shooting down to only when it's really, really on and he's got a clear sight of goal from close range then he could be a useful squad player for us if we can't sell.