Anderson set for City bow with trophy at stake

Elliot Anderson is relishing the opportunity to win a trophy on his first outing for Manchester City, who face Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday at the Principality Stadium. The midfielder joined City from Nottingham Forest in a £116m deal in July, having impressed over two campaigns at the City Ground.

Anderson's standout credentials

Despite Nottingham Forest's fight against relegation, finishing 16th last season, Anderson was a standout performer. He recorded the most touches (3,300), won possession the most times (306), won the most duels (297) and drew the most fouls (80) of any player in the Premier League.

The midfielder then played a key role in England's run to the bronze medal at the World Cup, leading everyone else in Thomas Tuchel's squad for duels won (50), tackles (21), tackles won (18), interceptions (eight) and possession regains (42).

Anderson's ambitions for Sunday

Having returned to pre-season training with Enzo Maresca's City squad, Anderson is ready to make an impact from day one. "A chance to win a trophy in your first week is quite good, so hopefully I can get minutes there and show what I can do," Anderson said.

"It's really important. I think every game is important, all the pre-season games have been important, so that's all we'll try and do – win that game. It'll be a difficult game. Obviously, they're the champions from last season, so it'll be tough, but every game is going to be tough this season."

"We'll just play in our style and try and win the game," he added.

Tough task against Arsenal

The Opta supercomputer makes Arsenal favourites for Sunday's game, with a 44.8% likelihood of victory inside 90 minutes, while City's hopes are rated at 29.7%. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has won both of his Community Shield matches as a manager in 2020 and 2023, with both victories coming via penalty shoot-outs. He also won both Community Shield matches as a player in 2014 and 2015.

City won on their last appearance in the Community Shield, beating Manchester United on penalties in 2024. However, they have been runners-up in the match nine times, with only Manchester United doing so more (10).

Anderson on new manager Maresca

This will be City's first season under a manager other than Pep Guardiola for a decade, but in Maresca – who previously had two spells as part of the backroom staff at the Etihad Stadium – Anderson feels they have found a tactically astute successor.

"I had a bit of work with him today and you can see the detail he goes into; I'm looking really forward to that," Anderson said of the Italian manager.

Historical context

On the last 10 occasions where the Community Shield has been between the league champions and the FA Cup winners, the FA Cup holders have won eight times. City – the FA Cup holders this year – were the only side to win the match as league champions during that time (in 2018 and 2024).

Anderson dismissed suggestions he had ever been close to joining Manchester United, simply replying: "No," when asked about the Red Devils' interest in him before City made their move.