Man City should remember Liverpool FC Community Shield lesson as Arsenal rivalry enters new phase

Manchester City have won three Premier League titles in a row - but a strange quirk in their recent success means they haven't won the Community Shield for four years.

After their Premier League successes in 2021 and 2022, they were beaten in the Community Shield by Leicester and then Liverpool, raising questions from pundits and rivals over their ability to defend the title. Funnily enough, the Premier League isn't determined by what happens in the 'glorified friendly' that is the Community Shield, and City have won the title three years in a row.

Jack Grealish admitted in pre-season that the Community Shield is a trophy he is desperate to win after losing both the last two showpieces, while City will be keen to beat Arsenal this weekend to ensure they have another trophy in the cabinet as well as making a statement to Arsenal over who are the real title favourites.

Arsenal have strengthened well with the additions of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, and will want to improve on their close-run title race with City last season. Winning the Community Shield would hand them a first win over City in nine meetings, with the Blues winning each of their last eight games against the Gunners.

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Last season, Arsenal were ahead of City in the title race and looking good for a first Premier League title in over 20 years. They travelled to City in the FA Cup, lost 1-0, and were subsequently well beaten in the two title-race showdowns that ultimately secured the title for City. Arsenal finished five points adrift of the champions, having given them six points.

The FA Cup win played an understated role in City's title race comeback, and the Community