MANCHESTER CITY fans are still on a high after last season's incredible Treble and will be looking for their side to lay down a marker for the new campaign by beating nearest challengers Arsenal in the FA Community Shield at Wembley.
The Gunners were the pacesetters for most of the Premier League campaign but started to slip as they headed down the home straight and the champions took advantage to power past them and burst through the finishing line.
Pep Guardiola's side then turned a good season into an historic one as they defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup Final then saw off Inter Milan in the Champions League showpiece.
Matching that feat will be tough this season, especially with the club losing skipper Ilkay Gundogan and winger Riyad Mahrez while only adding Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic to the squad so far.
More players should arrive before the transfer window closes, with a fee agreed for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, but City's main title rivals have been much busier this summer.
Arsenal have spent the most so far, splashing out over £200million on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, so fans will be looking for a return on that investment as they bid to go one step further than last season.
Arteta will look to strike a psychological blow in the traditional curtain raiser but it would be foolish to read too much into how things pan out at Wembley. Just a year ago, Manchester City crashed 3-1 to Liverpool and some people were questioning whether Erling Haaland would cut it in the Premier League after he missed a sitter to ruin a bet for our man Mark.
How the bookies view it
Manchester City have lost the last two Community Shield games to Leicester and Liverpool but are favourites again here at 4/9 (BoyleSports) to lift the trophy and 4/5 (Unibet) for a win inside 90 minutes. Arsenal are 21/10 (Betfair) to come out on top and 18/5 (BetVictor) to do so in normal time. The draw at 90 minutes pays a best 16/5 with Betway.
Recent head to head
Manchester City won all three meetings last season and that was pivotal to their treble bid as it helped them overhaul Arsenal in the Premier League and march on in the FA Cup. The Gunners have lost all eight matches with Guardiola's side since beating them in the 2020 FA Cup semi-final.
Players to watch
Quite how Haaland manages to top his 61-goal haul for club and country last season remains to be seen. The big Norwegian is usually heavy odds-on for anytime scorer but can be backed at 10/11 here with Paddy Power and that looks good after he netted in both league games against Arsenal last term.
Bukayo Saka was arguably Arsenal's best player last season and the winger was rewarded with a bumper new deal. He's 4/1 at Unibet for anytime scorer against City and that looks a bit overpriced.
Anything else catch the eye?
Given Manchester City's recent record in the FA Community Shield, it could be worth backing Arsenal in the double chance market at 21/20 with 888Sport. Even though the Gunners lost every match with Guardiola's side last term, two of those encounters were close-run things and it's always hard to tell who will be at their best so early in the new campaign.
Most goals have come after the break in the last two curtain-raisers so it could pay to bet on the same outcome again at 21/20 with McBookie, who also price a one-goal winning margin for either side at 29/20.
A few players will be eager to make an impact on their debut and that could lead to a few daft challenges. Gunners new boy Timber is 6/1 with Bet365 for a card and that looks worth a punt if the Dutch defender starts.
This Community Shield match between Manchester City and Arsenal will be played on Aug 6, 2023 and kick off at 16:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester City vs Arsenal prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
