Arteta targets Community Shield success as Arsenal face new-look Manchester City

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are ready to produce their “best version” and start the season with silverware when they face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Arsenal qualified for the fixture after winning the Premier League last season, while Manchester City earned their place by lifting the FA Cup.

The match will be Arsenal’s 25th appearance in the competition. They have won the trophy 17 times from their previous 24 outings. Manchester City have played in the Community Shield 16 times and have claimed the prize on seven occasions.

Arteta said Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are all available for selection, provided they complete the final stages of their preparation as expected.

“They are available. They will train with us today and tomorrow and, if they are in the condition we expect, they will play in the game,” the Arsenal manager said at his news conference on Friday.

He also provided updates on Jurrien Timber and William Saliba. Timber is progressing well from a long-term injury but remains several weeks away from a return.

“Jurrien is progressing really well. He is on the pitch and we are increasing the intensity of some training and the physical work. He is on a good recovery path, but he is still a few weeks away from returning,” said Arteta.

“We have to wait and assess him. Hopefully he will train with the group next week or around then, and then we will see how he develops. It was a long-term injury and every step we take has to be the right one. As for William, as we all know, his injury is also a long-term one.”

Arsenal finished as Premier League champions last season and Arteta believes the chance to compete for another trophy has sharpened the squad’s focus.

“It is a competition we earned the right to play in because we won the Premier League last year. You can see how hungry and willing the players are, and that is a very positive sign,” he said.

Arteta was also encouraged by the condition of his players after their return to pre-season training.

“I loved the way the players came back. Most of them returned earlier than expected and in very good physical condition. We completed all the tests and they all look excellent,” he added.

“The moment they started looking at each other, I told them: look at the squad we have and what we are building. There is a great deal of excitement.”

Arsenal are aiming to set the tone for the campaign immediately, with Arteta demanding a high level of performance from the opening match.

“We have to show the best version of Arsenal on Sunday. That is our intention: to give our best performance and the best possible start to the season by lifting the first trophy,” he said.

“That is how we have prepared for the season – to be at our highest level from day one.”

On the possibility of players leaving Arsenal before the transfer window closes, Arteta said he was content with the size of his squad but accepted departures could be necessary.

“For now, with the numbers we have, I am happy. But we have to accept that there are some players who need to leave,” he said.

Arteta also highlighted the importance of the coming season for Martin Odegaard and Saka, saying both had struggled to show their usual consistency last term.

“I see something different in both of them. They had some problems last year and were not able to provide the consistency and levels they usually give the team,” he said.

“The team will benefit from them again, and I can see the strong desire in their eyes.”

The Arsenal manager admitted he had been surprised by the prices being paid in the current transfer market.

“Yes, I was surprised. To be honest, I would not have bet on that,” Arteta said.

“But this is the market. Clubs are happy to invest and believe the valuations are what they are, and that is fair. They have done it, and it is the right price because someone is willing to pay, someone is happy to sell and the player is happy to move.”

Arteta paid tribute to Pep Guardiola, who previously managed Manchester City, while welcoming Enzo Maresca as his successor.

“I would fall short however much I praised what Guardiola has achieved. First of all, for the Premier League and for this country, he opened a new way of understanding the game, raised its level to different heights and set standards we had never seen before,” he said.

“He is exceptional and unique, the best manager in the history of football. I think he will be missed in the Premier League. I do not know whether the managers will miss him very much, but this is a personal word of gratitude from me for the period I spent with him.”

“He made all the managers and teams work and think differently. It was a pleasure to work with him. Now it is Enzo’s turn, and he is just as good because I know him well. He will bring something different to the club.”

Arteta said Maresca had the personality, character and knowledge to succeed at Manchester City.

“Enzo has the personality, character and knowledge to do an incredible job there. That is why he was chosen. They could have selected anyone, but they chose Enzo for the right reasons,” he said.

“He has proved himself at every level, and I have no doubt that he will do a great job.”

With 13 or 14 days remaining in the transfer period, Arteta said Arsenal would continue to assess the market as they sought to strengthen their squad.

“It is a very exciting part of the season. When a lot is happening, it creates excitement. There is an opportunity to improve and understand how every player feels,” he said.

“We are trying to give everything we have over the next 13 or 14 days to compete for every possible position. That is always the case. There is an opportunity for players to move in both directions and to see how the market responds.”

Arteta declined to discuss individual names but said Arsenal’s ambition remained high.

“The club’s ambition is very big and we want to improve and develop the squad. We have identified the areas where we can strengthen,” he said.