How Man City should line up vs Arsenal in Community Shield

Manchester City begin their new season against last year's title rivals Arsenal at Wembley.

After winning both the Premier League and FA Cup, City won both competitions that qualify for the Community Shield, so second-placed finishers in the Premier League Arsenal are the opponents on Sunday.

Mateo Kovacic could get a competitive debut for City after his summer signing, but new addition Josko Gvardiol is not expected to feature after completing his signing on Saturday.

Kevin De Bruyne is nearing a return from injury but didn't play over the three friendlies during pre-season, while Nathan Ake limped off against Bayern Munich and was an unused substitute in the rain-affected defeat to Atletico Madrid. City promoted images of De Bruyne training ahead of the Community Shield and he could make his return at Wembley.

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Read how our writers think City should line up against Arsenal and use the interactive team selector to pick your own team:

City want to win this trophy and a strong XI can help set the reigning champions up for their Premier League defence. Kevin De Bruyne will need to appear at some point but there is no rush, with others having built up more fitness. Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic look like the right balance of industry and enterprise ahead of Rodri.

That means Phil Foden on the right, making up one part of a three-man attack that was pretty devastating on the few times it was employed last season. Erling Haaland will want to add a goal at Wembley to his collection.

Kyle Walker surely starts as City continue to show how much they want to keep him, and otherwise it is a take-your-pick time with the centre-backs. Manu Akanji and Aymeric Laporte