Prediction: Manchester City vs Arsenal

Verdict: Erling Haaland to score anytime

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Luckster

With the Community Shield up for grabs on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City will meet Arsenal at Wembley for what could be an action-packed affair.

Manchester City

Starting with the reigning Premier League champions, only continuing on a famous romp after returning from the World Cup’s winter break, Manchester City certainly made real history last season. Getting their hands on a maiden Champions League crown back on June 10th as they claimed a famous 1-0 victory against Italian icons Inter Milan, Pep Guardiola’s superstar squad became the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble-champions. Arguably cementing their spot as the greatest side in the Premier League era, the one-time Bayern Munich boss will be calling on his high-flying squad to make an early statement of intent when they travel to Wembley this weekend. Picking up a 4-1 romp when they last met Arsenal on top-flight duties back on April 26th, the Sky Blues certainly hold a rampant record against Sunday’s opponents. In fact, City have won each of their last eight straight meetings against the Gunners – a run that stems back to July 2020.

Team News

Notching 36 Premier League strikes last season and only breaking a string of domestic records, attacking talisman Erling Haaland will spearhead Guardiola’s charge at Wembley. Putting pen to paper on a bumper new deal earlier in the week, Nathan Ake should start at left-back on Sunday afternoon.

Making the move from Chelsea this summer, Croatian international Mateo Kovacic will make his full Manchester City debut this weekend.

Arsenal

As for Arsenal, suffering what was a public collapse last season and missing out on the chance to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004, many have wondered if the Gunners would show some signs of a hangover. Managing to muser just a trio of wins from any of their final nine domestic appearances, Mikel Arteta would have also had a major headache over his side’s extended issues away from the Emirates. In fact, including a 4-1 drumming at the hands of City back on April 26th, Arsenal recorded only one victory from their final five Premier League matchups outside of North London. However, with their sights firmly set on mounting another genuine title charge this time around, the Gunners should still find the mood in their camp at a high. Signing off their pre-season tour of the United States with an action-packed 5-3 victory against Barcelona, Arteta’s men could be smelling the chance to spring an upset at Wembley.

Team News

Breaking the bank this summer, the trio of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber should all make their full Arsenal debuts at Wembley. However, picking up a pre-season knee injury, Arsenal have confirmed that former Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus is expected to miss the next few weeks.

While Brentford shot-stopper David Raya might be inching towards a move to north London, England international Aaron Ramsdale will start between the sticks here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met on Premier League duties back on April 26th, Manchester City picked up a 4-1 victory at the Etihad.
• Likewise, the Sky Blues have won each of their last eight straight meetings against the Gunners – a run that stems back to July 2020.
• Arsenal signed off the 2022/23 campaign by winning just a trio of their final nine domestic appearances.
• Erling Haaland notched 36 Premier League strikes last season.
• Three of the last four meetings between Manchester City and Arsenal have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Becoming the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions last season, Manchester City will be looking to make an early statement here. Winning each of their last eight straight showdowns against Sunday’s opponents, the red-hot Haaland will also be desperate to open his new account at Wembley. Breaking a string of Premier League records last season after notching 36 top-flight strikes, the Norwegian superstar can be found at generous odds to lay down another domestic marker in the capital.

Verdict: Erling Haaland to score anytime

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Luckster