Rice, Saka and Zubimendi in contention for Arsenal’s Community Shield meeting with Manchester City

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Zubimendi are available for Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City after returning to training following extended breaks after the World Cup.

The trio have rejoined the first-team squad and could play despite missing Arsenal’s pre-season programme.

“They will be available; they trained with us today, they will train tomorrow, and if they are in the condition we expect them to be in, they will be involved,” Arteta said.

Saka played through an Achilles problem towards the end of last season, while Rice said during the World Cup that he had been managing hamstring-related neural pain since December. The midfielder also suffered a knee problem.

Arteta believes the rest afforded to both players during the summer will help them begin the new campaign in better condition. He also expects captain Martin Ødegaard to benefit from a sustained period of fitness after an injury-disrupted season.

“With him [Odegaard] and Bukayo as well, I see something else. Obviously they had some issues last year and they couldn’t have the consistency levels that they know they can bring to the team,” the 44-year-old manager said.

“So there is a big margin and a big gap there that I think the team is going to benefit from because I can see the desire in them.”

Ødegaard’s campaign was repeatedly interrupted by knee, muscle and shoulder injuries, limiting him to 16 Premier League starts last season.

The Community Shield will provide Arsenal with an early opportunity to assess the availability of several important players before their Premier League campaign begins against Coventry City on 21 August.

Arteta also gave an update on defender Jurrien Timber, who is recovering from a groin injury which kept him out of the World Cup.

The Netherlands international is progressing well but remains several weeks away from a possible return to competitive action. Timber has started work on the pitch, with Arsenal now increasing the intensity and volume of his rehabilitation.

“Jurrien is progressing really well, he is on the pitch.

“We are ramping up now with certain actions and especially the volume and the load, and I think he is on a good trajectory, but there are still a few weeks to go.

“He needs to start training with the group in the next week or so, hopefully, and then see how he progresses from there.”

William Saliba is also unavailable as he continues to recover from a back injury sustained during the World Cup.

Arsenal’s meeting with Manchester City will therefore come with particular interest around the returning Rice, Saka and Zubimendi, who have only just linked up with the squad after their extended rest. All three could be involved if they meet the physical condition Arteta expects before the match.