The 2020/21 season officially gets underway on Saturday with the Community Shield clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.
It feels like last season only just finished, and in reality it did. The final Premier League game was a month ago and it’s a quick turnaround to the new campaign, which you can catch on talkSPORT on Saturday evening.
The coronavirus pandemic saw the Premier League extended into July with Jurgen Klopp’s side having to wait to be crowned champions.
Pre-season has been well underway for teams looking ahead to the coming campaign and the traditional match between league and FA Cup winners is still taking place at Wembley.
The match will still be behind closed doors but it is a good chance for the two managers to squeeze in some extra minutes.
Expect there to be some strong line-ups from both teams but with six possible substitutes allowed, there will be some rotation through the game.
Here is how both teams could line-up at Wembley on Saturday.
Arsenal
The Arsenal squad is in a state of flux at the moment with players out injured, up for sale and transfer targets not yet landed.
Mikel Arteta will have a number of decisions to make at the weekend in regards to his selections.
Midfield will be a particular problem area with Dani Ceballos having returned to Real Madrid and the uncertain futures of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira.
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Mesut Ozil also looks set to stay at the Emirates and see out the final year of his contract.
Ozil has stressed in a recent interview that he intends to remain at Arsenal despite his lack of game time and, despite being linked with a move away, Guendouzi also appears set for a fresh start.
“I have been really clear that everybody starts from zero,” Arteta said ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield.
“All the time in football, what you did two weeks ago or two years ago doesn’t matter. It is what you are able to contribute to the team now so everybody is going to have the same opportunities.
“They have to show with their performance and attitude that they are better than their teammates or they are somehow contributing to what we want to achieve this season.”
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Guendouzi will not be considered for the Community Shield having recently returned from France, where a mandatory 14-day quarantine period remains in place for anyone entering the UK.
Granit Xhaka is the only recognised first-team player available to Arteta but the versatile Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Elneny could fill in 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 spot at the moment. Nicolas Pepe will also be in contention.
At the back, Gabriel is still not officially an Arsenal player and there are also a number of injuries to contend with.
Callum Chambers, Shkodran Mustafi and Pablo Mari are all out.
William Saliba has returned for his loan spell with Saint-Etienne and impressed in the friendly against MK Dons – fans have high hopes for what could eventually be a new look back line.
In goal, Bernd Leno is back from injury and could reclaim his starting spot from Emiliano Martinez.
Here is how Arsenal should line-up against Liverpool.
Arteta used the 3-4-3 formation in their friendly against MK Dons and he could persevere with it against Liverpool.
Arsenal’s main strength is in the wide areas with plenty of options at the wing-backs and wide attacking players.
Expect plenty of substitutions during the game, though, to give everyone more minutes and to mitigate the injury risks.
Liverpool
The defending Premier League champions have made just one signing this summer in left-back Kostas Tsimikas.
He might get some minutes on Saturday but is unlikely to start ahead of Andy Robertson.
Jordan Henderson is still out injured and will not play any part while Joel Matip is still recovering from injury.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also picked up an injury in pre-season and will miss some time.
This leaves two first choice centre-backs in Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Trent Alexander-Arnold missed the pre-season camp in Austria due to a minor back issue and may not be rushed back.
Neco Williams is likely to start in the team in Alexander-Arnold’s absence.
The other real decision Klopp will have to make is over Rhian Brewster. The young striker may get a chance to prove to the manager that he is good enough to stay and fight for a first-team place.
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Brewster was loaned out to Swansea last season and could join a Premier League club on loan.
A good performance may see Klopp rethink their strategy with him.
Here is how we think the Reds will line-up at the weekend.
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