Arsenal, Man City get show on the road

WITH summer pre-season friendlies over, eyes are focused on another English Premier League campaign.

Arsenal and Manchester City, the FA Cup holders and Premier League winners, will contest the Community Shield at Wembley today in a preamble to what could be a momentous season in England.

Manchester City will again be among the favourites to win the Premier League. Even without the likes of Alvaro Negredo leading the firing line, City fans can be buoyed by the auspicious partnership between Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic.

With Fernandinho another doubt for Manuel Pellegrini ahead of City’s opener against Newcastle, the team’s most recent signing of Fernando from Porto could see the defensive midfielder starting alongside Yaya Toure. Pellegrini is again left with the supporting cast of Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas and David Silva.

Finalising the acquisition of Eliaquim Mangala would seal a successful, yet somewhat lowprofile, summer transfer window for Pellegrini’s side. The forceful Porto defender would be a fine addition to City’s defence, with Kolarov and Clichy battling for the left-back position.

Arsene Wenger has finally been granted enough money to spend this summer and has splashed out on key reinforcements that could put the North Londoners back in contention for the Premier League title.

Having secured the signings of Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and David Ospina, Wenger has addressed some of the areas that have been lacking.

But with less than a month before the window closes there is still a lack of a traditional holding midfielder. Should the club close in on William Carvalho, Arsenal would reclaim that bit of brawn and bite in their midfield.

The depth on offer and the level of play and preparedness make City the favourites — but only just.

Arsenal, as always, have plenty of promise. When healthy — and with Sanchez — they are capable of beating anyone. But here is the rub. — bleachereport.com