There will be notable difference to Arsenal's kit this season
Arsenal's Piero Hincapie (left) and Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong battle for the ball
Liverpool's loss has been Arsenal's gain(Image: PA)
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Liverpool have been forced to give up a perk after relinquishing the Premier League title to Arsenal. The Gunners will begin a season as defending champions for the first time in 22 years when they host Coventry City on Friday, while Liverpool visit Newcastle on Sunday.
Aside from introducing new kits, there will be a notable difference in the shirts of both sides compared to last season. The gold Premier League badge, which is added to the sleeve of the champions' shirt, has been removed from Liverpool's and handed to Arsenal.
The gold badge was first added to the champions' kit for the 2015/16 season, meaning the Reds have had the honour twice, while the Gunners will enjoy the privilege for the first time. That privilege extends to the fans, who have been adding the patch to their own replica shirts in their droves since May.
Following an impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, Mikel Arteta's side look well placed to retain the title and the coveted gold badge.
Arteta said the result and performance showed the Gunners are ready for the defence of their crown. He said: "The desire comes [because] I want to live that moment again.
"I want to live other moments, even bigger than them. We know what it's going to take. We know the difficulty of the task.
"We've never done it at this club, to win it again. We know that it’s going to demand something special and we are ready for it."
The Gunners are favourites to successfully defend their title, especially after putting down such an impressive marker against opponents expected to be their closest rivals.
Arteta added: "We talked about the desire we have to start the season and to show ourselves how much we want it, I saw a lot of positive things against a top opponent.
The gold badge that adorned Liverpool's shirt last season(Image: Getty)
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"I am obviously extremely happy with the performance, the result, and winning the first trophy. I think it is down to the preparation we have done in pre-season.
"To the decisions the boys took after the World Cup, to continue to get prepared, to come early because they wanted to be part of it. If we drive the standards at this level, I’m sure that we’re going to be really, really competitive."