The London club; Arsenal could play Liverpool in the Community Shield on August 30 even if they lose to Manchester City in next Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.
The two Manchester clubs; City and Manchester United could be unavailable to face the Premier league champions Liverpool next month due to European commitments.
The FA are determined to stage the Community Shield, which is the traditional season curtain-raiser between the champions and FA Cup winners at the end of August, this is to avoid having to pay a rebate to broadcasters.
If City were to reach the Champions League final on August 23 or United make it to the Europa League final two days earlier, they would be unavailable to play the Shield on the proposed August 30 date.
However, the FA’s preferred option if the Cup winners are unavailable, is to invite the most successful club in the Shield’s history, which is Arsenal, who have lifted the trophy 15 times.
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