One way or another Arsenal will get clarity on what their start to next season looks like following the conclusion of Manchester City vs Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
After securing a top-two finish in the Premier League this term, the Gunners are in line to take part in the 2023/24 season curtain-raiser; otherwise known as the Community Shield against City who are once again the reigning champions of England - however, that's only on one condition.
As explained by the FA, this annual fixture - which is usually contested at Wembley Stadium - is between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup. Therefore if Man United emerge victorious on Saturday afternoon then the two rivals will meet again in a rematch in August.
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This was the scenario at the beginning of this season when Liverpool, as FA Cup holders, faced champions Man City at Leicester City's King Power Stadium due to the hosting of the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final. That afternoon saw Jurgen Klopp's side come out on top with a 3-1 victory.
Should Erik Ten Hag guide United to a second win in a Manchester derby this season then it will confirm for Arsenal that their first competitive fixture of the new campaign will be in the Premier League which will kick-off on August 12 and conclude nine months later on May 19, 2024.
Although if, Man City as Premier League champions pick up the FA Cup trophy, then the Gunners as the league runners-up will then provide the opposition in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2023 at the expense of the Red Devils.
Currently, the north London outfit's pre-season plans are yet to be completely finalised. Of course, the three fixtures that have already been announced are against MLS All-Stars (July 20), Man United (July 22) and Barcelona (July 26) as part of their tour of the United States next month.
Now, back in August the Emirates Cup win against Sevilla acted as Arsenal's final warm-up game before the Premier League season got underway six days later. So one can imagine that won't be the case this year if there happens to be a showdown with Man City in the Community Shield.
Interestingly, the Gunners are joint-second with Liverpool in terms of most successful teams in the competition's history having won 16 times. In fact, not since 2005 have they lost a Community Shield fixture and even beat Man City 3-0 back in 2014 when Arteta captained the side.
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