Will Josko Gvardiol feature for Manchester City during the FA Community Shield?

Manchester City completed their second signing of the summer on Saturday, but will new recruit Josko Gvardiol feature against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield.

The 21-year-old moved to the Etihad Stadium from RB Leipzig for £77.6 million on Saturday, following weeks of negotiations between Manchester City and the Bundesliga club.

Gvardiol has penned an initial five-year contract running until the summer of 2028, and became the second-most expensive defender, behind Manchester United’s Harry Maguire.

The centre-back is the second Croatian international to sign for Manchester City this summer, following teammate Mateo Kovacic, who moved from Chelsea for £25 million last month.

Gvardiol enjoyed an impressive campaign with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga last season, and scored against Manchester City in the Champions League last-16 first-leg at the Red Bull Arena.

The Croatian defender moved to Germany in 2021 from Dinamo Zagreb, and made 41 appearances for RB Leipzig last season.

Manchester City open their 2023/24 campaign on Sunday against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, facing the Gunners in the FA Community Shield.

Pep Guardiola’s side will be competing in the fixture for the fifth time in six years, with the Community Shield the first of seven trophies potentially on offer to Manchester City this season.

The Blues lost to Liverpool in the FA Community Shield last season, and haven’t won the trophy since a win over the Merseyside club in 2019.

Guardiola has named a strong team to face Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, with Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva all starting.

Kovacic has been handed his competitive debut, however new signing Gvardiol isn’t part of the matchday squad, despite travelling to London with the Manchester City team.

Gvardiol, who selected the number 24 shirt, will now have the chance to make his Manchester City debut on Friday evening, when the Blues begin their Premier League title defence at Turf Moor.

City open their league campaign against Burnley next week, with Vincent Kompany’s newly promoted side starting the season against the treble-winners.

The 21-year-old will also have the chance to win his first trophy with the Blues later this month, when Manchester City face Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup in Athens.