FA COMMUNITY SHIELD
Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs says Alexis Sanchez is like “an animal” in training and believes the striker’s arrival has injected added belief into the Gunners squad.
Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley today, looking to lay down an early marker ahead of their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace next weekend.
The Gunners parted with around £35million (Dh216m) to bring Sanchez to the Emirates this summer, a year after spending £42.4m (Dh259m) on Mesut Ozil.
“It’s great for the confidence of the squad. When players like Ozil and Sanchez come in it makes everyone feel good,” Gibbs said.
“Mesut didn’t come in with an arrogance about him – he came in like he still had something to prove, like he wasn’t already a world-class player.
“Alexis has that same mentality. He’s like an animal in training and on the pitch. He’s everywhere. He never stops running. That’s what we need. We can’t just sign a superstar and think we’ll win everything. It’s about attitude as well.”
Ozil enjoyed an excellent start to life at Arsenal last season but the 25-year-old’s form fell away as the campaign progressed, with fatigue and injury gradually taking their toll. Signings from abroad can take time to adapt to the the Premier League but Sanchez’s style may mean he is better-suited.
“Alexis has got straight into us,” Gibbs said. “You always worry about some players coming in and adapting to the Premier League but, to be honest, I don’t see him struggling.
“You can see it in him that he’s a tough character. He’s come in and he can be that 20-goal a season striker every team needs.”
Conceding goals, however, has been the greater problem for Arsenal, with many questioning their defensive spine. The Gunners were more solid last term but heavy defeats to Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City mean there is still room for improvement.
“We’ve got an exciting team and a lot of players who can make a difference going forward, so we just need to be aware as well of the other side of the game,” Gibbs said.
“We want to be careful as well. We want to be well-balanced. We want to be aware we’ve got responsibilities. We’re not going to be an all-out attack team this season and we’re working hard in training on all aspects of our game.”
Arsenal return to Wembley today with fond memories after beating Hull to win the FA Cup in May. The victory ended a nine-year wait for a trophy and Gibbs hopes the triumph is just the start of things to come.
“The boys definitely needed it – everyone involved in the club needed it,” Gibbs added. “It was a nice feeling and we need to use it as a stepping stone now.”
Team News
Arsenal: Summer signings Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy and Callum Chambers are all likely to be handed debuts. Theo Walcott and Serge Gnabry are injured while the Gunners’ World Cup-winning German trio are not ready to return.
Man City: Frank Lampard is not ready following his arrival on loan. World Cup stars Bacary Sagna, Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Fernandinho and Vincent Kompany are all excused. Alvaro Negredo (foot) misses out.
Likely line-ups
Arsenal: (4-2-3-1) Szczesny, Gibbs, Koscielny, Chambers, Debuchy, Arteta, Ramsey, Campbell, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez.
Man City: (4-2-3-1) Cabello, Clichy, Garcia, Nastasic, Richards, Toure, Fernando, Silva, Nasri, Navas, Jovetic.
Key players
Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez-
Arsenal’s players, staff and supporters alike are salivating at the prospect of having Sanchezin their side. With genuine world class talent, the Chile star is expected to play through the middle and be the forward to take them to the next level
Manchester City: Stevan Jovetic-
Such were his injury problems last season, the Montenegrin striker made just four starts. But going by his magnificent pre-season form, this year should be a massive improvement. Comfortable up front or as a No10, Jovetic should finallyblossom in a City shirt.
Sport360° prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City
With key players: Kompany, Zabaleta and Aguero missing, we expect Arsenal to come out on top in this encounter.
