As Arsenal gear up to face European and England champions Manchester City in the traditional curtain-raiser of the English football season, the Community Shield, it’s time to take a stroll down memory lane and revisit the history of this prestigious competition.
Origins of the Community Shield
The Community Shield, formerly known as the Charity Shield, traces its roots back to 1908 when the first fixture was played between professional Football League champions Manchester United and amateur Southern League champions Queens Park Rangers. In 1921, it was tweaked to feature the league champions against the FA Cup winners.
Premier League champions have only won 𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙀𝙀 of the last 🔟 Community Shield matches 🏴👀 pic.twitter.com/c0KWxktsJ0
— LiveScore (@livescore) August 5, 2023
Embracing Charity and Community Initiatives
In 2002, the name was changed to the Community Shield to reflect that the funds raised from the match are distributed to community initiatives and charities across the UK. Arsenal, being the first winners of the newly-named competition, have a rich history in the event.
Arsenal’s Participation and Rivaling Liverpool
The Gunners have made 24 appearances in the Community Shield, tied for second place with Liverpool, while Manchester United leads the pack with 30 participations. Arsenal’s 16 victories in the competition are matched by Liverpool, but they can move into outright second place behind Manchester United if they triumph against Pep Guardiola’s side.
A Shared Shield and Format Changes
One of Arsenal’s Shield victories, however, was a “shared” trophy in 1991 against Tottenham Hotspur, the only all-north London derby final to date. In the days before penalty shootouts, if the game ended in a draw, interestingly the teams would keep the trophy for six months each.
In 1971, as double winners, the Gunners turned down the opportunity to play in the Shield due to prior commitments to play European friendlies. After several teams did the same in proceeding years, the game gained more prestige in 1974 when it was moved to Wembley, adopting the current format.
Arsenal’s Success at Wembley and Stadium Variety
Arsenal have experienced considerable success at Wembley, winning the Shield four times at the rebuilt stadium. In total, the North London outfit have secured the trophy in seven different stadiums, the most by any team in the competition’s history.
Kai Havertz is scoring the winner against Manchester City in the Community Shield. You heard it here first. pic.twitter.com/zQ1DWbGAOl
— Max. ✍🏼 (@AFCMax9) August 5, 2023
Arsenal vs. Manchester City: Dominance over the Years
When it comes to facing Manchester City in the final, Arsenal boasts a 7-0 aggregate scoreline spanning an 80-year gap between the two encounters. The first encounter ended in a 4-0 victory for Arsenal at Highbury in 1934, while the second match saw the Gunners secure a 3-0 win at Wembley in 2014.
Impact on League Success
Throughout the competition’s history, only eight clubs that won the Shield proceeded to become league champions in the same season.
Tomorrow the biggest club in Manchester will face the biggest club in London in the Community Shield battle at Wembley. You're welcome.
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) August 5, 2023
Conclusion
As Arsenal and Manchester City lock horns once again in the Community Shield, both teams will be vying for the opportunity to add another chapter to their legacy in this prestigious competition. History and tradition will be on full display at Wembley as fans eagerly await the exciting clash between two football giants.
But as Arsenal fans we must not forget one thing: If we win then Community Shield is the biggest trophy on the planet. But if we lose, it is just a friendly. *winks*
Writer – Yash Bisht
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
If there was ever a time to lift this big shield since 2017 this is it.
Win this game and our name will be in the conversation of lifting the big jug for the entire season, mark my word
We won the 2020 edition against liverpool which means we last won it in 2020 not 2017.
A good read. Thank you.
And this is now worrying as most winners of this trophy do not proceed to win the league
But we trust God.