Arteta confirms Rice, Saka, Zubimendi available for Community Shield

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that key players Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Zubimendi are available for Sunday's Community Shield match against Manchester City after returning to training following extended breaks after the World Cup. The trio linked up with the squad and could feature despite missing the preseason program.

"They will be available, they trained with us today, they will train tomorrow, and if they are in the condition we expect them to be in, they will be involved," Arteta told reporters. The manager expressed satisfaction with the players' fitness levels upon their return. "I love the way the players have come back. Most of them came back earlier than expected, really fit with all the testing, and they all seem in great condition."

Saka managed an Achilles issue late last season, while Rice revealed during the World Cup that he had been dealing with hamstring-related neural pain since December before also suffering a knee problem. Arteta said a period of rest had helped both players ahead of the new campaign. "We haven't noticed anything," Arteta said. "They have individual plans. Through the time they had with the national team...