Arsenal have handed all three of their new signings competitive debuts in their starting line-up for the Community Shield.
Kai Havertz starts up front with Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice also featuring in Mikel Arteta’s XI to face Manchester City today.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is injured for the curtain-raiser at Wembley, which left the Gunners to pick between a trio of options at left-back.
Kieran Tierney has seldom been favoured by Arteta, particularly given the success of Zinchenko’s inverted role, while Jakub Kiwior has filled in at times during pre-season. Timber featured at left-back in the Emirates Cup fixture against Monaco and, despite not being a natural left-back, may be best placed to emulate the Zinchenko role.
Bukayo Saka missed the 1-1 draw in midweek through illness but is fit to start, although Gabriel Jesus (knee) will miss out.
“Bukayo is much better, he trained today,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “I don’t expect anybody else to not play.”
There were doubts over Folarin Balogun (foot), Reiss Nelson (toe) and Albert Sambi Lokonga (muscle), all three of whom miss out.
Like Zinchenko, Mohamed Elneny did not feature in pre-season while on the comeback trail from a serious knee injury and he is expected to be unavailable. Jorginho misses out with a minor muscle injury.
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Subs: Turner, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Holding, Tierney, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Trossard, Nketiah
Injuries: Gabriel Jesus, Zinchenko, Elneny,Lokonga, Nelson, Balogun, Jorginho
Time and date: 4pm BST, Sunday August 6, 2023
Venue: Wembley Stadium
