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Arsenal's Premier League Seasons After Every Community Shield Win

Arsenal recently secured their 18th Community Shield victory, trailing only Manchester United, who have 21 wins. Their 3–0 win over a Manchester City side managed by Enzo Maresca has fans buzzing about the potential for back-to-back Premier League titles, following their first league win in 22 years last season.

Although Arsenal hasn’t changed much over the summer, Mikel Arteta’s team carries a confidence that seems to overshadow their main rivals. The match in Cardiff revealed cracks in Manchester City's armor, with Pep Guardiola’s squad showing vulnerabilities that had previously been hidden.

This isn't the first time Arsenal has faced high expectations after a Community Shield win. Since 1992, they've won the English equivalent of a “Super Cup” nine times, and here’s a look at how those seasons unfolded.

1998–99 Season

Arsenal’s first Premier League-era Community Shield win came with a 3–0 beatdown of Manchester United. Coming off their title-winning 1997–98 campaign, they matched their points total (78) but finished second, just a point behind United. Early season draws and late losses hurt their defense of the title.

1999–00 Season

Arsenal beat United 2–1 in the Community Shield again, buoyed by new signing Thierry Henry, who ended the season as top scorer with 26 goals. Still, United powered ahead with 91 points, winning the league. Arsenal’s inconsistent form prevented them from seriously challenging.

2002–03 Season

After losing veterans Lee Dixon and Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira took captaincy. Arsenal led the league from November until April but faltered late, including a costly draw against United and a surprising loss to Leeds, which handed United the title.

2004–05 Season

Following their unbeaten 'Invincibles' year, Arsenal couldn’t keep the crown. Despite expectations, Chelsea under José Mourinho disrupted the status quo, winning with a record 95 points. Arsenal finished second, 12 points behind.

2014–15 Season

After a decade-long wait, Arsenal returned to the Community Shield with a 3–0 win over Man City. Alexis Sánchez’s arrival fueled hopes for a title challenge, but a defeat to Chelsea highlighted the gap. They ended third, missing out on top spot but comfortably ahead of rivals Tottenham.

2015–16 Season

The infamous Leicester City title race saw Arsenal twice beat the champions, including a dramatic 2–1 home win, yet finish 10 points behind. A few slip-ups allowed Spurs to become the main contenders to Leicester, and Arsenal settled for second place.

2017–18 Season

Wenger’s final year started with a Community Shield shootout win over Chelsea but ended with Arsenal collecting just 63 points, their lowest since 1995–96. New signings Lacazette and Aubameyang scored well, but defensive issues led to 13 losses and a sixth-place finish.

2020–21 Season

After an encouraging win over Liverpool in the Community Shield, the season turned tough. Arsenal hit a rough patch with seven games without a win and slumped to 15th in December. Emile Smith Rowe’s emergence helped spark a late rally, finishing eighth and allowing Mikel Arteta’s project to continue.

2023–24 Season

Arsenal reasserted themselves as title contenders. The previous season’s 89 points was their best since the Invincibles, though a single loss to Aston Villa proved decisive as Manchester City edged them. The club’s record-breaking signing Declan Rice illustrated their ambition to challenge the top again.

Summary of Arsenal's Premier League Outcomes After Community Shield Wins

  • 1998–99: Finished 2nd, narrowly missing the title by 1 point.
  • 1999–00: Runner-up behind Manchester United’s dominant season.
  • 2002–03: Led most of the season but lost title late to Manchester United.
  • 2004–05: Finished 2nd, overtaken by Chelsea’s strong campaign.
  • 2014–15: Finished 3rd, behind Chelsea and City.
  • 2015–16: Came 2nd, well behind surprise champions Leicester City.
  • 2017–18: Lowest points haul in decades, ending 6th.
  • 2020–21: Finished 8th after mid-season struggles.
  • 2023–24: Strong 2nd place finish with highest points since early 2000s.

Arsenal’s history after winning the Community Shield shows promise often tempered by tough competition and missed opportunities. This latest win feels different, though, and maybe this time the Community Shield is a sign of more glory to come.

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