Arsenal's Premier League Outcomes Following Their Community Shield Triumphs

Arsenal set a strong tone with their recent 3–0 victory against Manchester City in the 2026 Community Shield, stirring hopes of consecutive Premier League titles after last season’s championship win. This success came against a Manchester City side managed by Enzo Maresca, signaling confidence around Mikel Arteta’s squad that their title rivals may not match.

Though Arsenal haven’t dramatically changed over the summer, there is a certain assurance about them that wasn’t as evident in Manchester City, whose weaknesses were exposed in Cardiff. Pep Guardiola’s team no longer carries the same invincible aura.

This isn’t the first time high expectations have followed an Arsenal Community Shield win. Since 1992, Arsenal has lifted this trophy nine times. Below is a review of how they performed in the Premier League seasons following those victories.

1998–99 Season

Arsenal began the Premier League era with a 3–0 win over Manchester United in the Community Shield. They had been champions the previous year, earning 78 points but losing the last two matches, which allowed Manchester United to finish just one point behind.

The club was undergoing a shift with foreign players arriving, while Manchester United was rebuilding internally. The Red Devils went on to claim an unprecedented treble, while Arsenal finished second, narrowly missing out due to a late-season loss to Leeds United. Their slow start, with four draws in the first five games, hurt their title defense.

1999–00 Season

Arsenal again defeated Manchester United 2–1 in the Community Shield, with new signing Thierry Henry making an immediate impact by scoring 26 goals across competitions.

Despite Henry’s influence, Arsenal couldn’t topple United, who dominated with 91 points to win back-to-back titles. Arsenal’s inconsistent form, including only three wins in 11 matches around the New Year, stopped them from mounting a serious challenge.

2002–03 Season

With key retirements and Patrick Vieira as captain, Arsenal started as reigning champions. Thierry Henry was the division’s top scorer, but Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy overtook him with 25 league goals.

Arsenal led from November until April but faltered late, including a crucial draw with United and a surprising defeat to Leeds United, which effectively handed the title to United.

2004–05 Season

After their 'Invincibles' campaign the previous year, Arsenal struggled to retain their crown. Their unbeaten streak ended against Manchester United, but it was Chelsea under José Mourinho that disrupted the balance, winning the title with a then-record 95 points.

Arsenal finished second, 12 points behind the champions, showing signs of recovery but falling short of repeating their dominant run.

2014–15 Season

Returning to the Community Shield after a decade, Arsenal crushed Manchester City 3–0. However, despite signing Alexis Sánchez and his 16 league goals, Arsenal’s title hopes faded after a key loss to Chelsea. They finished third, performing well to secure Champions League qualification but far from challenging for the title.

2015–16 Season

This season is remembered as the one Leicester City shocked everyone by winning the Premier League. Arsenal beat Leicester twice, including a dramatic home win, yet finished 10 points behind. A poor run mid-season and losses to Manchester United and Swansea City cost them dearly. Despite ending the campaign unbeaten in the final games, Arsenal only secured second place.

2017–18 Season

Arsène Wenger’s final year saw Arsenal win the Community Shield on penalties against Chelsea. The club spent heavily on forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored 24 league goals combined. Still, defensive frailties led to 13 defeats, resulting in a sixth-place finish—their lowest points total since 1995–96.

2020–21 Season

Mikel Arteta’s early days as manager were tough, with Arsenal slipping to 15th place after a poor run including a defeat to Everton. After a critical win against Chelsea inspired by Emile Smith Rowe, the team recovered somewhat, finishing eighth. Arteta’s project was still a work in progress.

2023–24 Season

By 2023–24, Arsenal reasserted themselves as title contenders, nearly overtaking a treble-winning Manchester City in 2022–23 but hindered by injury setbacks. The acquisition of Declan Rice for $131 million underscored their ambitions. Arsenal ended the season with 89 points—their best since the Invincibles—but have yet to win the Premier League immediately after a Community Shield victory.

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

• 1998–99: 2nd place, matched prior season points but lost title by 1 point
• 1999–00: 2nd place, unable to match Manchester United’s record-breaking 91 points
• 2002–03: 2nd place, led much of season but dropped points late
• 2004–05: 2nd place, overshadowed by Mourinho’s Chelsea dominance
• 2014–15: 3rd place, fell short despite Sánchez’s contributions
• 2015–16: 2nd place, finished 10 points behind Leicester City
• 2017–18: 6th place, lowest points haul in over two decades
• 2020–21: 8th place, Arteta’s early struggles but signs of improvement
• 2023–24: 2nd place, highest points tally since Invincibles but no title