FA Community Shield Preview - Arsenal v Liverpool

Good afternoon and thank you for coming back to another blog. I think we can truly say that summer is behind us, with a drop in temperatures and high winds the new order of the day. Although, there is one thing about this time of year that gets me really excited - the new football season. It seems strange saying that since the 2019/2020 season only concluded on Sunday evening with the Champions League final. The FA Community Shield is the traditional curtain raiser of the English game. A fixture contested between the Premier League champions and the Emirates FA Cup winners. Many people will try and tell you this game doesn't really mean anything. And truth be told I understand that view. However, it is a game with a trophy up for grabs, as well as an early opportunity to lay down a marker for the upcoming campaign. For Liverpool, this game might come as an inconvenience as they try to prepare to defend the title they won after 30 years of trying. From an Arsenal viewpoint, this game gives them another chance to show progression under Mikel Arteta. Who will be lifting the shield aloft come Saturday evening..?

Let's take a look at the Premier League champions. What an incredible, dominant season Liverpool had last term. Winning the title by an incredible 18 point margin, losing just 3 games all season (2 of which after they had already been crowned Champions), and 55 out of 57 points won at home were just a few stand out statistics in what was a record breaking season for the Reds. Jurgen Klopp has been very quiet in the transfer window - the only question mark is squad depth should an injury arise to a key player. Even a bad day for Liverpool often ends in a win, with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino able to carve any team open on demand. I have also been very impressed by some of the future generation of Liverpool talent - the likes of Curtis Jones particularly impressive in cup competitions last season. Whatever teams Klopp selects for this game, it will contain goals and attacking flair.

Now onto the cup winners - Arsenal. Mikel Arteta certainly made a very good impression since taking over in December. League successes over Manchester United and Liverpool, coupled with the scalps of Manchester City and Chelsea in the latter stages of the FA Cup has given the Gunners a stronger look to them defensively. They look more up for a battle and are a lot harder to beat. The summer arrival of William Saliba from St Etienne, as well as the seemingly imminent arrival of Gabriel Maghales from Lille is further proof that Arsenal should be harder to break down. However, it is not just at the back where Arteta has looked to strengthen. Willian will surely provide another dimension to the attacking prowess, already containing the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Lacazette. And with the prospect of more summer arrivals, it looks like Arsenal could be a threat to more teams this time around.

So on to the big question, who wins this one? On paper, Liverpool look assured to be lifting the first piece of silverware of the season. But you saw what happened at the Emirates last month. A pair of defensive errors from Liverpool and Arsenal have the quality to punish them. I expect this to be a game lacking fluency and tempo, but possess just enough quality from both sides to keep it interesting. Arsenal were written off against both Manchester City and Chelsea on route to lifting the cup at the beginning of the month. And I hope Aubameyang has been practising his trophy lifts, because I think the Gunners will edge this one.

Prediction 2-1

Just a reminder that once the season begins in just 2 weeks time, I will be giving weekly predictions on the Friday. If anyone fancies challenging me one week, bring it on!

Connor

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