Arteta Confirms Rice, Saka, and Zubimendi Available for Community Shield

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s Spanish head coach, has confirmed the availability of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Zubimendi ahead of the club’s forthcoming Community Shield match against Manchester City. The fixture is scheduled for Sunday evening at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

During the pre-match press conference, Arteta was asked about the trio’s readiness to feature — noting they were the last Arsenal players to return to training following the conclusion of their international duties. “Yes, they will be available,” Arteta stated. He added: “They trained with us today, and they will train again tomorrow. If they are in the condition we expect, they will play in the match.”

Arteta also addressed Arsenal’s ongoing activity in the summer transfer market. He emphasized that the club remains active in both recruitment and potential departures, with decisions contingent on opportunities emerging in the market. “Arsenal will remain active in the transfer market until the final days. Our moves will be determined by the opportunities available,” he said.

He continued: “That has always been the case. There is still time before the transfer window closes, and if opportunities arise in either direction, we must assess how the market responds and what we can do as a club.” Arteta noted that the club holds options regarding players who may leave, adding: “We have some options relating to players who could depart, and we will examine those if suitable offers arrive. So far, we are very satisfied with the number of players we currently have, but we must accept that some players may need to leave.”

Arteta Praises Pep Guardiola’s Legacy

Arteta paid tribute to former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, describing his impact on English football as exceptional and underscoring how he elevated competitive standards across the Premier League. Reflecting on his four-year tenure working alongside Guardiola, Arteta said: “I may not be able to fully honour my promise, given what he has delivered for the country and for the Premier League. I believe he raised the standards to an entirely different level.”

He added: “I was fortunate enough to work with him for four years, and I think he is the best manager in the history of football. He achieved that in a sustainable and consistent way — not just for a short period.” Arteta stressed that Guardiola’s influence extended beyond Manchester City, stating: “I believe he raised the level of all managers and teams, pushing them to work in different ways — ultimately making all of us better.”

When asked whether he had prior knowledge of Guardiola’s decision to leave Manchester City, Arteta replied: “No, certainly not. But I had a feeling this might happen, and it became clear it was approaching.” Regarding Enzo Maresca’s appointment as Guardiola’s successor, Arteta said he was unaware of the details behind the decision but affirmed Maresca’s suitability: “I don’t know the details of that, but he is a distinctive personality and possesses the knowledge required to do an excellent job there. They chose Enzo for specific reasons.”