Mikel Arteta has completely ignored what Arsenal fans kept telling him about Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faced the press ahead of the Community Shield clash against Manchester City.

The Gunners will go into the game against the Sky Blues as favourites following Pep Guardiola’s departure, and they will do everything they can to win the game.

New signings Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes are both expected to start, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman could get the nod too.

What is really surprising, however, is the news regarding Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.

Mikel Arteta confirms Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice will be available for Arsenal vs Manchester City

Rice and Saka had a very intense 2025/26 campaign.

The two Englishmen are among the most important players for club and country, and they are expected to play every game, even when they aren’t fully fit.

That happened a lot at the back end of last season, and both players featured at the World Cup as well, despite carrying injuries.

The expectation was that both Saka and Rice would get plenty of rest and miss the start of Arsenal’s new campaign.

However, Arteta has confirmed that they are set to be involved in the Community Shield on Sunday.

He said about the duo and Martin Zubimendi, as per Arsenal.com: “They will be available.

“They trained with us today (Friday), they will train tomorrow (Saturday), and if they are in the condition that we expect them to be, they will be involved.” 

Mikel Arteta has completely ignored Arsenal fans’ advice about Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka

Rice and Saka’s availability for the Community Shield is a real surprise.

The two players started for England in their bronze medal game against France at the World Cup on the 18th of July. That’s less than a month ago, while they were carrying injuries.

Arsenal fans demanded that Rice and Saka be given rest until at least the September international break, so that there won’t be a risk of injury recurrence.

However, Arteta seems to have ignored that advice, and Rice and Saka could now play less than a month after their last appearance.

We hope the Arsenal manager knows what he’s doing here.