Arsenal have been drafted in to face Manchester City (Picture: Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City and Arsenal will renew their rivalry at Wembley when the two clubs meet in this year’s Community Shield.
The one-off game, which acts as the curtain-raiser for the new season, typically pits the Premier League winners against the FA Cup champions.
However, with Manchester City having won both trophies last season as they became just the second English club in history to win the treble, Arsenal have been drafted in as the opponents to face Pep Guardiola’s men.
So, why exactly are the Gunners playing City in the Wembley showpiece?
Here is everything you need to know.
When is the Community Shield?
The Community Shield will take place on Sunday, August 6 at 4pm.
The Community Shield is the first trophy up for grabs this season (Picture: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Wembley has returned to hosting duties with last year’s showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool having been staged at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
Why are Arsenal playing in the Community Shield?
Under the rules of the Community Shield, when one team has won both the Premier League and FA Cup the previous season, the club which finished second in the Premier League will take part in the match.
City hauled in long-term league leaders Arsenal to finish the league campaign five points clear of Mikel Arteta’s side.
The FA Cup, meanwhile, was claimed with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in June.
How many times have both clubs won the Community Shield?
Manchester City have won the trophy a total of six times in their history.
Their last triumph arrived against Liverpool in 2019, edging out the Reds on penalties following a 1-1 draw after normal time.
Arsenal have won the Community Shield on 16 occasions, a record only bettered by Manchester United (21) and equalled by Liverpool.
The Gunners’ last won the competition in 2020 with a penalty shootout victory over Liverpool in 2020 after the match ended 1-1 in normal time.
This will be the first of seven trophies Manchester City can win this season, including the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
