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The 2020/21 season officially begins on Saturday with the Community Shield clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.
It feels like last season just ended, and it actually did. The last Premier League game was just a month ago and it’s a quick turnaround for the new campaign, which you can listen to live on talkSPORT on Saturday night.
Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta met in the Premier League in July
The coronavirus pandemic caused the Premier League to last until July and Jurgen Klopp’s team had to wait to be crowned champions.
The preseason has come a long way for teams looking ahead to next season and the traditional match between the league winners and the FA Cup is still played at Wembley.
The game will continue to be behind closed doors, but it is a good opportunity for the two coaches to squeeze in a few extra minutes.
Expect strong lineups from both teams, but with six possible substitutes allowed, there will be some rotation throughout the game.
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Here’s how both teams could line up at Wembley on Saturday.
Arsenal
The Arsenal team is in a state of flux at the moment with players injured, up for sale and transfer goals have yet to land.
Mikel Arteta will have to make a series of decisions over the weekend regarding his selections.
Midfield will be a particular problem area with the return of Dani Ceballos to Real Madrid and the uncertain future of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira.
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Mikel Arteta led Arsenal to FA Cup glory in his first season as manager
Mesut Ozil also seems ready to stay at the Emirates and watch the final year of his contract.
Ozil has emphasized in a recent interview that he intends to remain at Arsenal despite his lack of playing time and, despite being linked to a move, Guendouzi also seems ready for a fresh start.
“I’ve been very clear that everyone starts from scratch,” Arteta said before the Community Shield on Saturday.
“All the time in football, what you did two weeks or two years ago doesn’t matter. It is what you can contribute to the team now so that everyone has the same opportunities.
“They have to show with their performance and attitude that they are better than their teammates or that they are somehow contributing to what we want to achieve this season.”
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Granit Xhaka is likely to start against Liverpool
Guendouzi will not be considered for the Community Shield after having recently returned from France, where a mandatory 14-day quarantine period remains in effect for anyone entering the UK.
Granit Xhaka is the only recognized first-team player available to Arteta, but the versatile Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Elneny could fill the gaps.
New signing Willian could be in contention to start in attack alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang plus a striker.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are fighting for that starting place right now. Nicolás Pepe will also be in the running.
At the rear, Gabriel is not yet officially an Arsenal player and there are also a number of injuries to deal with.
Callum Chambers, Shkodran Mustafi and Pablo Mari are all out.
William Saliba has returned for his loan stint with Saint-Etienne and impressed in the friendly against MK Dons – fans have high hopes for what could eventually be a new bottom line.
In goal, Bernd Leno has returned from injury and could regain his starting position from Emiliano Martínez.
This is how Arsenal should line up against Liverpool.
How Arsenal could line up against Liverpool in the Community Shield
Arteta used the 3-4-3 formation in their friendly against MK Dons and was able to persevere with it against Liverpool.
The main strength of Arsenal is in the wide areas with many options in the wings and wide attack players.
However, expect plenty of substitutions during the game to give everyone more minutes and mitigate injury risks.
Liverpool
The defending Premier League champions have only made one transfer this summer to left-back Kostas Tsimikas.
He might have a few minutes on Saturday, but he’s unlikely to start ahead of Andy Robertson.
Jordan Henderson is still injured and will not play a role while Joel Matip is still recovering from the injury.
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Jordan Henderson suffered a knee injury at the end of last season
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was also injured in the preseason and will miss some time.
This leaves two first-choice centers in Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Trent Alexander-Arnold missed preseason camp in Austria due to a minor back problem and may not be rushed.
Neco Williams is likely to start on the team in the absence of Alexander-Arnold.
The other real decision Klopp will have to make is about Rhian Brewster. The young forward may have a chance to show the coach that he is good enough to stay and fight for a first team spot.
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Rhian Brewster has impressed in preseason friendlies
Brewster was loaned to Swansea last season and could join a loaned Premier League club.
A good performance can make Klopp rethink his strategy with him.
This is how we think the Reds will line up this weekend.
How Liverpool should line up against Arsenal
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