This Sunday in Cardiff, the first trophy of the new season will be on the line as Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, face Manchester City, holders of the FA Cup, in the Community Shield.
Historically, the stats are firmly in Arsenal's favour. Only Manchester United (21 titles) have won the Super Cup more times than the Gunners, who have claimed it 17 times, including shared titles. What's more, Arsenal has triumphed in all five of their most recent finals.
The Gunners have also notched victories in all three Super Cups they contested while reigning Premier League champions, with wins in 1998, 2002, and 2004.
On the other side, Manchester City are fresh off a Super Cup victory, having triumphed over their fierce rivals Manchester United in a penalty shootout last year. However, it's worth noting that City have been on the losing end nine times in Super Cup finals, with only Manchester United suffering more defeats (10).
Head-to-head records in the Community Shield also strongly favour Arsenal. The London club has won all three of their encounters against Manchester City: 4-0 in 1934, 3-0 in 2014, and most recently, they prevailed 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 2023.
Despite this, there is reason for optimism for Enzo Maresca. He will be the first Manchester City manager to take charge in the Super Cup, and historically, in the last ten editions of the match between league champions and FA Cup winners, the latter have secured victory eight times.
The upcoming showdown will take place at the Millennium Stadium. For Arsenal, this ground is significant as they played more matches there than any other team between 2001 and 2007, winning four Super Cups in that time.
For City, this will only be their second appearance at the iconic Welsh venue, the first being a 2-0 win against TNS in UEFA Cup qualifying back in August 2003.
Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta boasts an impeccable record in the Super Cup. He won both of his finals as a player (in 2014 and 2015) and has also led the team to victory in both of his finals as a manager (in 2020 and 2023). For Maresca, this will mark his first experience in a season-opening clash in English football.
