Try telling Arsenal fans that the Community Shield means nothing.
The Gunners came out on top against Liverpool in the curtain-raiser ahead of the 2020/21 Premier League season, which begins on September 12.
Liverpool supporters will be playing down the importance of the match and they have a point.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were beaten by Manchester City in the 2019 edition before going on to win the title in 2019/20.
It’s one of those that’s cherished if you win, but dismissed if you lose.
But how have Community Shield winners fared over the years in the forthcoming Premier League season?
We’ve decided to take a look at every winner since 2000 to see what it means for a club’s chances of success in the new campaign.
2000 winners: Chelsea
- 2000/01 Premier League finish: 6th
Despite winning the Community Shield (known as the Charity Shield until 2002), Chelsea made a slow start to the 2000/01 season and sacked Gianluca Vialli in September.
His successor, Claudio Ranieri, guided the Blues to a sixth-placed finish.
2001 winners: Liverpool
- 2001/02 Premier League finish: 2nd
The Reds finished second, seven points behind champions Arsenal, after beating Manchester United in the curtain-raiser.
2002 winners: Arsenal
- 2002/03 Premier League finish: 2nd
The reigning Premier League champions finished runners-up to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
2003 winners: Manchester United
- 2003/04 Premier League finish: 3rd
Man United defeated Arsenal in a penalty shootout but then handed the Premier League title over to Arsene Wenger’s side.
2004 winners: Arsenal
- 2004/05 Premier League finish: 2nd
They didn’t get their hands on the title, but Arsenal did win the FA Cup to guarantee their appearance in the 2005 Community Shield.
2005 winners: Chelsea
- 2005/06 Premier League finish: 1st
Jose Mourinho’s side lost just five times to cruise to the title in 2006.
2006 winners: Liverpool
- 2006/07 Premier League finish: 3rd
Rafa Benitez could only guide his side to a third-placed finish in 2006/07 after a slow start to the league campaign which included just three wins in Liverpool’s first nine games.
2007 winners: Manchester United
- 2007/08 Premier League finish: 1st
Community Shield, Premier League and Champions League winners. Not a bad season for Man United.
2008 winners: Manchester United
- 2008/09 Premier League finish: 1st
Man United won the Community Shield and Premier League for the second-straight season and also added the League Cup to their trophy haul.
2009 winners: Chelsea
- 2009/10 Premier League finish: 1st
It was Chelsea’s turn to win the Community Shield and Premier League in 2009/10.
2010 winners: Manchester United
- 2010/11 Premier League finish: 1st
They’re making this a habit…
2011 winners: Manchester United
- 2011/12 Premier League finish: 2nd
The Red Devils came so close to the title but missed out to Manchester City on a dramatic final day.
2012 winners: Manchester City
- 2012/13 Premier League finish: 2nd
City had to settle for second place in 2012/13.
2013 winners: Manchester United
- 2013/14 Premier League finish: 7th
It started so well for David Moyes with victory over Wigan in the Community Shield, but things quickly went downhill.
He didn’t even see out the full 2013/14 season and United failed to qualify for European football.
2014 winners: Arsenal
- 2014/15 Premier League finish: 3rd
Arsenal’s title drought went on but they did win the FA Cup in 2015.
2015 winners: Arsenal
- 2015/16 Premier League finish: 2nd
Arsenal couldn’t stop Leicester City performing a miracle in 2015/16.
2016 winners: Manchester United
- 2016/17 Premier League finish: 6th
Another disappointing finish for the Old Trafford club after winning the Community Shield.
It was Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge and the club finished 24 points behind champions Chelsea.
2017 winners: Arsenal
- 2017/18 Premier League finish: 6th
Arsene Wenger’s final season at the Gunners ended with a disappointing sixth-placed finish.
2018 winners: Manchester City
- 2018/19 Premier League finish: 1st
Pep Guardiola’s side also won the League Cup and FA Cup in a historic season.
2019 winners: Manchester City
- 2019/20 Premier League finish: 2nd
They couldn’t prevent Liverpool from winning a maiden Premier League title in 2019/20, though.
