Arsenal and Liverpool will face each other in the 2020 edition of the FA Community Shield. The 2019/20 FA Cup and Premier League winners have their first chance at claiming a trophy in the 2020/21 season with key players for both Arsenal and Liverpool.
After winning the FA Cup just a couple of months prior to this match, Arsenal have the opportunity to make it two trophies in the space of a few months. Mikel Arteta will be in search of yet another success at the helm of the club.
Arteta’s team will have new faces available for this fixture which will add a new look to the Gunners. With players returning from injury and new debutants, the Arsenal starting XI against Liverpool should be an interesting mix of players. Here are three key players for the Gunners against Liverpool.
Three Key Players for Arsenal in the Community Shield
Bernd Leno to Make a Return to the Arsenal Squad?
An injury sustained shortly after the restart of the Premier League season kept Leno sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. As a result, Emiliano Martinez stepped in to take over the starting goalkeeper role. Martinez went on to perform admirably for the Gunners for the rest of the Premier League and FA Cup campaigns.
Now that Leno has returned from injury, the German goalkeeper appears ready to resume his duties as the top option for Arteta. However, the impact Martinez had for Arsenal during their FA Cup triumph cannot be overlooked. For this reason, Leno will need to be at his best against Liverpool to display the reason why he should remain as the number one goalkeeper. A poor performance could see Martinez re-emerge as the starter when the Premier League season begins.
Leno is sure to be tested by Liverpool in this match and it will provide him the perfect opportunity to show he is indeed the top goalkeeper. If he can produce a terrific performance, it will continue to be his job to lose.
William Saliba to Make His Arsenal Debut?
William Saliba could make his first big appearance for Arsenal against Liverpool. The French defender produced a very good performance against MK Dons in a preseason friendly. This impressed supporters and the coaching staff alike.
Liverpool are clearly at a higher level than MK Dons and will provide a more telling test for Saliba. If the 19-year-old defender can impress against the reigning Premier League champions, then it might just be the start of defensive improvement for Arsenal.
Willian the Key for Arsenal
Arsenal’s big signing of the summer was the arrival of Willian from Chelsea. The Brazilian brings a wealth of experience to Arsenal and should be a key player. A strong performance from their new signing against Liverpool will be needed if they hope to lift the trophy.
Willian could turn into a provider of goals in this match on the right-wing with targets such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eddie Nketiah to work with. This will be the first big opportunity to display this attacking unit which has the chemistry capable of being a productive and effective attacking force.
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