Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, has shared positive news regarding the fitness of his squad ahead of the highly anticipated Community Shield match against Manchester City this Sunday. The Premier League champions will face City, who recently secured the FA Cup, marking the beginning of the new season.

Arteta expressed his satisfaction with the players' return from international duty, noting that many have come back in excellent shape. "I love the way the players have come back," he stated on Friday. He highlighted that most players returned earlier than expected and have shown impressive fitness levels during testing. This has generated a sense of excitement within the team as they look forward to the upcoming season.

Three key players, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Martin Zubimendi, have yet to participate in any pre-season matches since returning from international commitments. However, Arteta is optimistic about their involvement in the Community Shield. He confirmed that all three players trained with the squad and are expected to be fit for the match. "They will be available, they trained with us today, they will train tomorrow and if they are in the condition that we expect them to be, they will be involved," he added.

As Arsenal gears up for this crucial fixture, the manager's confidence in his players' readiness bodes well for the team's prospects in the upcoming season.