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Key events
Championship results
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Wolves 2-2 Blackburn Rovers
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Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Preston North End
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Bristol City 0-2 Millwall
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Charlton 2-1 Derby County
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Middlesbrough 2-1 Lincoln City
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Norwich City 1-2 West Brom
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Portsmouth 1-3 Queens Park Rangers
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Stoke City 1-2 Swansea City
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Sheffield United 0-0 Birmingham City
Let’s press pause on the Community Shield previewing and look back at yesterday’s Championship results. Click below for a round-up of the opening Saturday.
Speaking of Arteta, the Arsenal manager has insisted that he is relaxed about his contract situation. The 44-year-old’s current deal expires next year.
He said: “They don’t have to worry about any of that, because I want to be here. I am extremely happy. I feel very grateful to work with the people that I work with and when we have the possibility, we will resolve that. And that’s it.”
Asked if he expects talks over a new contract to continue after the transfer window, Arteta added: “There is always another priority, I think. And that’s the way we have been treating it, I think because everybody feels comfortable that the time on the contract is not going to be an issue. I think because my will, certainly, is to be here and I am very happy here. My feeling from the club is the same one. That is why everyone is doing things in a really organic way.”
Ahead of the match against City, Mikel Arteta said: “The best version of Arsenal has to be on Sunday. That’s the intention. The best performance, the best way to start the season by lifting the first trophy. That’s the way we’ve prepared the season.”
He added: “Now it’s Enzo – who is as good as [Guardiola], because I know him well. He will provide something different to the club.”
I can see City giving Maresca plenty of time in the job, even if he does not get off to the strongest of starts.
Interesting to see how Guardiolas lookalike will be handling this team that has been so strongly in a managers hand. Hard to change even a little bit.
Ahead of the Community Shield, Enzo Maresca said: “For me personally, it’s a trophy. When trophies are there in a final you are there to win the game, no friendly game at all. We want to try our best to win the first trophy.
“Arsenal have shown over the last few years, they have always been there. They’re a fantastic team. Well managed, well coached from Mikel, and last year they win the Premier League. But we are City, we want to close the gap.
“Pre-season has been good. Now we need to compete, win games, win titles. I want to see high spirit and the right mentality.”
It will be very interesting to see how Manchester City do in these first competitive games under Enzo Maresca. Pep Guardiola leaving was such a huge moment, so it perhaps may take a few games to adjust. Arsenal today will be a big test for the new manager.
Jonathan Wilson
“The Community Shield is a first opportunity to make some kind of assessment of whether Arsenal’s hunger is as sharp as it was last season, and of how City’s squad are adapting to their new manager. It is, though, a largely ceremonial occasion, any lessons drawn to be taken with extreme caution…”
Today’s fixtures
Community Shield:
Championship:
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Watford v Southampton
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Burnley v West Ham
La Liga:
Preamble
Hello, good morning and welcome to another Matchday live! The annual curtain-raiser for the Premier League season – aka the Community Shield – takes place today as Arsenal prepare to face Manchester City. It also marks the start of a new era for City following the departure of Pep Guardiola, with Enzo Maresca facing his first competitive match as the club’s head coach.
The Principality Stadium in Cardiff plays host to the game, which kicks off at 3pm BST.
Elsewhere, West Ham are in Championship action as they kick off their campaign against Burnley, while Watford take on Southampton.
We’ll build up to those games throughout the day and keep you up to date with all the latest transfer news.
Join us!
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