Arsenal will face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August after Pep Guardiola’s side edged past Chelsea to lift the FA Cup.
Thanks to a scheduling clash at Wembley, the traditional curtain-raiser heads back to Cardiff for the first time in 20 years, giving Arsenal supporters the chance to reacquaint themselves with the Millennium Stadium, scene of three FA Cup wins and two Community Shields during Arsene Wenger’s pomp.
With this season’s title race still in the balance, it remains to be seen whether the Gunners host proceedings as Premier League champions or if the invitation is extended as a result of being the nearest challengers to Pep Guardiola’s treble winners – a frankly sickening thought.
Of course, a lot can happen between now and then. Quite apart from the next two weeks, there is an entire summer ahead. Guardiola, with just a year remaining on his contract, could decide he has had enough of English football, and Manchester City could theoretically face consequences for the Premier League’s 115 charges hanging over them.
Wishful thinking, but taking on Enzo Maresca’s League Two Blues certainly has an appeal…
Anyway, stick the date in your diaries, you absolute sickos.
You can always cross it out again on 1 June when you swear off football forever in pursuit of a calmer, happier existence.