"When there is a trophy on the table, you want to win"

There's a lot of personal history in Arsenal's Community Shield face off with Manchester City. The Sky Blues are led by Pep Guardiola, one of the most successful managers ever, and former boss and mentor of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners' boss worked with Guardiola for over three years, and now has become accustomed to facing his friend and former colleague in the dugout. Ahead of the Wembley showdown, Arteta wrote for the matchday programme, and admitted his respect for the Cityzens and the level Pep has taken them to.

"We have full respect to City and their achievements last season. For me, they have raised the level, along with Liverpool, over the last six years to somewhere that the league has never experienced", he wrote. "So we know that to win the Premier League, you know you are probably going to need about 96 points or 100 points".

Be that as it may, the Gunners are still hungry for silverware, after letting the Premier League title slip through their fingers last season, and into the clutches of the Sky Blues.

"The FA Community Shield is a trophy. When there is a trophy on the table, you want to win", he continued. "This will be our approach today against a very good Manchester City team. Of course, we know what we are up against today".

 

August 6, 2023