Community Shield: Fans Convinced Mind Games Have Begun as Guardiola Plays Down City’s Chances

• Pep Guardiola appears to have already started the mind games ahead of the new season
• Manchester City come up against Premier League runners-up Arsenal in the FA Community Shield on Sunday, August 6
• In his pre-match presser, Guardiola appeared to suggest Arsenal were in better shape than his side

Pep Guardiola has already started making headlines for his comments, a week before the new Premier League season kicks off.

The Spaniard’s Manchester City side will take on Arsenal in the traditional curtain raiser on Sunday, August 6 as both sides look to start their campaign on a winning note.

Despite the fairly casual nature of the Community Shield, there is a lot at stake for both teams, who have been tipped to go toe-to-toe for the title once again this season.

Ahead of the game, Guardiola was on media duty, making interesting sentiments about his side’s preparedness ahead of the clash.

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According to the 2022 treble winner with Man City, Arsenal are better placed to win the Community Shield.

"We know the situation we are in right now," he said, per Football Daily.

"We finish 2 weeks later than Arsenal and we start two weeks later than Arsenal so we are not in the best way.

"But hopefully our mentality will help us be there and compete like we have to compete against them and try to win the title."

Guardiola’s argument was that Arsenal have had more time to prepare for the new campaign because of City’s participation in the Champions League final, which extended their 2022/23 season to June 10.

Here are some comments from fans who watched Guardiola’s comments:

"He's always mentioning us like we know him."

"Making excuses already"

"The mind games start all over again."

"Your mind games will not work this season."

The Spaniard is no stranger to downplaying his team’s chances before emerging with a completely different narrative on the pitch.

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This was the same case last season, when he consistently gave Mikel Arteta’s side props for dominating the league, only for Manchester City to overtake the Gunners at the 11th hour.

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Sports Brief also reported on Manchester City’s possible line up against Arsenal on Sunday.

Guardiola only has two key concerns; the absence of De Bruyne and Nathan Ake, who is still recovering from an injury sustained during the Bayern Munich game.

Meanwhile, Arsenal strengthened their squad during the offseason, signing Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber.