Ahead of the game, Club journalist Rob Pollard has taken a look at some of the major talking points.
1Community Shield bounce
Manchester City sent a remarkable 16 players to the World Cup in Russia this summer, seven of whom made it to the semi-finals or beyond, meaning the US tour, usually a chance to build fitness and tactical awareness among the first team players, saw us operate with a largely young and inexperienced side.
Pep Guardiola‘s preparations for the new campaign have been somewhat undermined, with most of our top stars dealing with a truncated preseason programme.
But none of that showed last weekend during our Community Shield victory over Chelsea. City won 2-0, a scoreline that flattered the FA Cup winners, with Guardiola‘s side far superior in every department. We were dominant throughout - quicker and sharper than our opponents, and far more inventive in the final third. It was a wonderfully energised performance that few could have expected.
The task now is to take that form into Sunday’s game against Arsenal, which will no doubt be a difficult first assignment.
2Stones on fire
One of the most promising displays in the Community Shield win as delivered by John Stones, a player who enjoyed a fine World Cup campaign with England.
The 24-year-old is a wonderful player. In the first half of last season, he was superb, a regular for City during our record-breaking run of victories.
But an injury sustained in the win at Leicester City in November saw him miss six weeks, and he struggled to rekindle his early-season form upon his return.
However, the World Cup proved a seismic tournament for Stones. He not only led England to the semi-final stage playing in every single match along the way, he became symbolic of the national side’s new modern approach to the game. He’s a fine defender, but he’s also a brilliant ball-playing centre-half, capable of stepping into midfield and taking risks in possession.
As Kyle Walker said on Sky earlier this week, he has the talent and ability to be anything he wants. Watching his progress this season will be fascinating.
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3Unknown quantity
With sweeping changes to both coaching and playing staff at the Emirates this summer, it’s difficult to know exactly what to expect from Arsenal.
Unai Emery is a manager known for attention to detail. His training sessions are often long and hard, and he places heavy focus on video analysis.
He demands plenty, both physically and tactically, but it’s a process that helped him deliver three consecutive Europa League titles while in charge of Seville, as well as seven trophies in two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain. Why change now.
The Arsenal players are likely to have been worked harder this summer than they did under Arsene Wenger. Emery, known for creating well-drilled sides, will have impressed on them the importance of pressing high and hard and then counter-attacking swiftly.
The expression and artistry of the Wenger era won’t have been lost completely but will have been replaced, in large parts, by pragmatism and organisation.
Emery is likely to set his side up not to lose. He knows City possess quality in abundance and is huge admirer of Guardiola. It would be suicide for him to open up and take the game to the champions.
It may be a case of City having to be far more patient than on our last trip to the Emirates.
4Pep on top
Guardiola and Emery have gone up against each other on 10 occasions, with Pep yet to suffer defeat. Indeed, Guardiola’s record of six wins and four draw makes for impressive reading.
More of the same on Sunday would see City make a fine start as we look to become the first side to defend the Premier League title in a decade.
