Anderson is available for the match and appears to be pushing for minutes almost as soon as he has unpacked. That matters at City, where new arrivals are usually judged not just on talent, but on how quickly they fit into a demanding, detail-heavy environment.
The midfielder made it clear he wants his answer to the transfer chatter to come on the pitch.
“Quero mostrar a todos o que posso fazer,” Anderson said.
The Community Shield is often treated as a curtain-raiser, but it can also be a useful early test of personality. Anderson sounds ready for that part of it as much as the football itself. He described himself as “muito feliz” after settling in quickly, and his early comments suggest a player keen to embrace responsibility rather than dodge it.
His own view of his game is broad rather than narrow. “Tenho um pouco de tudo. Posso defender bem, posso atacar, então vou tentar dar tudo o que tenho para ajudar o clube,” Anderson said. That box-to-box profile could be valuable against an Arsenal side that rarely allows midfield passengers.
There is also a wider subplot here. Manchester City are trying to begin the new campaign with momentum after finishing second in the Premier League last season. A sharp, hungry debut from Anderson would not settle every debate around the fee, but it would be a powerful first impression.
And that is the storyline to watch on Sunday: not just whether City lift the trophy, but whether Anderson looks like a player ready to carry the weight that came with his move. After that, attention will quickly turn to the league opener against Bournemouth on 23 August.