ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has hailed the club’s loyal support ahead of the eagerly awaited Community Shield clash against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Looking tanned, fit and healthy at the club’s training HQ, Gunners manager Arteta praised the dedication of the fans, following what has been an already busy summer.

In response to a question from the Morning Star newspaper at London Colney, the San Sebastian-born 41-year-old spoke highly of the backing the North Londoners receive from their legions of fans.

Ahead of the weekend, Arsenal have already played near and far, racking up trips to Germany and three US cities, as well as a return to Ashburton Grove, prior to the showpiece event at the national stadium.

“Thank you [to the fans], they have been absolutely incredible,” said Arteta.

“In the US it was incredible the amount of support and love they are showing towards the team. We have to try and maintain the level and improve it for them.”

The Gunners boss was also quick to hail keeper Aaron Ramsdale for speaking out against injustice, discrimination, homophobic and racist abuse, in an article in the Players Tribune earlier this week.

"I thought it was great — very open, very transparent,” said Arsenal boss Arteta, adding: “I think he was very brave to do it the way he did.

“We cannot forget the personal touch [as managers], we are dealing with human beings. We have a big responsibility there, we have to support and be close to them.”

The traditional curtain raiser returns under the big arch in north-west London, after Leicester City hosted last season’s match, with Pep Guardiola’s City aiming to acquire yet another accolade after winning the treble in 2022-23.

With Guardiola’s side finishing five points clear of Arsenal to win the Premier League title last season, the gap between the two sides has reduced notably, but the Gunners were outclassed by City in both Premier League games, as well as losing 1-0 in an FA Cup fourth round tie.

However, a bullish Arteta added: “[We are] very excited to pay a final to win a trophy, we are playing against the team to beat.”

“This is what we want, fighting for every trophy. We have to prove that. What we did last year was not enough to win the big trophy and we have to be better.”

New Arsenal arrivals Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz all featured in Arsenal’s victory over AS Monaco on Wednesday night.

Eddie Nketiah starred for the Gunners and netted their equaliser moments before half time, prior to the home side triumphing 5-4 on spot-kicks following Gabriel’s winning penalty. 

Arteta confirmed that key players would be available for Sunday’s match, with the Gunners aiming to lift the Community Shield for the 17th time in the club’s history.

Arteta said: “Bukayo [Saka] feels much better, I don’t expect anyone else [to be out].”

The Gunners will start the season with striker Gabriel Jesus sidelined with a knee issue, while Arteta was keen to downplay the issue, saying: “He is fine. He is disappointed as he was feeling good, but this issue was there. No-one expected a [medical] procedure but we made that decision, I’m sure he will be back soon.”

Former Manchester City teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko will also miss the Community Shield tie against their former club, with the Ukrainian out with a calf injury, but is close to returning for the Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest a week on Saturday.

Rice, the club’s £105m signing from West Ham, showed moments of quality against the Ligue 1 side earlier this week, but understandably still requires time to fully gel with his teammates.

“We are in the process [of squad building],” conceded Arteta, saying: “We are working on a few things — there is still time to do that. We are happy with the squad we have for sure.” 

The manager was also asked about how he managed to convince Rice to sign with Arsenal, answering: “We just explained our thoughts to him — what role he would have in the club and the team. He bought into that.”

A 4-1 defeat for the Gunners in Manchester back in April underlined that even if Arsenal can push City all the way in the Premier League, Arteta still has plenty of work to do when his side come up against the Citizens on the pitch.

Reflecting on that bruising defeat back in the spring Arteta explained: “The game started in a way that we didn’t want. They were better in every department, they deserved to win that game without a shadow of a doubt.”

The electric partnership between Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne outfoxed Arsenal last term, with golden boot winner Haaland turning provider to set up two goals for the Belgian before scoring City’s fourth in injury time last time out.

While City may have lost key midfielder Ilkay Gundogan this summer, they have replaced the German with the addition of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, and their squad depth remains exceptionally strong.

Meanwhile City boss Guardiola also discussed Sunday’s match, saying: “[It] will be a good opportunity [to win another trophy]. Of course, we are going to try.

“We know the situation we are in right now. We finish two weeks after Arsenal. We start two weeks after Arsenal.

“We are not in the best way, but it is a final. Hopefully our mentality can help us to compete and try to win the title.”

Guardiola also confirmed defender Josko Gvardiol had a medical on Friday and should complete his move from RB Leipzig “in the next hours.”

Guardiola also discussed the uncertain futures of Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva.

Bayern Munich are keen to sign England defender Walker, 33, whilst Portugal winger Silva, 28, has attracted huge interest from Saudi Arabia, in addition to long-time admirers Barcelona. 

“We will do everything to keep them,” he said. “It is not like [Ilkay] Gundogan as they have contracts.

“We want them to stay because they want to stay. Losing Kyle and Bernardo would be so difficult.”