Why Arsenal will play an extra game in the 2023-24 season if Man City beat Man Utd in FA Cup final

Arsenal could play another game in the upcoming 2023/24 season if Manchester City beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final on June 3.

Having secured the Premier League title on Saturday after the Gunners' 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest, City will look to complete part two of a potential treble when they take on United at Wembley.

United themselves could complete a domestic cup double, having won the Carabao Cup by beating Newcastle 2-0 in February.

For Arsenal, they have ensured Champions League qualification for next season, meaning they will play in Europe's top competition for the first time since 2017.

But in terms of silverware, manager Mikel Arteta will have to wait in order to add to the FA Cup he won in the 2019/20 season, when the Gunners defeated Chelsea 2-1.

However, the Spaniard may not have to wait too much longer if City do manage to pull off a domestic double.

Arsenal could play extra 2023/24 game

If United win the FA Cup, they will face City in the 2023/24 Community Shield - the curtain-raiser for the upcoming season.

The match is played between the winner of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup, although the format has changed on numerous occasions since the game was founded in 1908.

In 1961, Tottenham became the first English team to win the domestic double, resulting in Bill Nicholson's side taking on a Football Association Select XI.

But the FA changed their approach when such an occurrence happened in subsequent years, with the runners-up in the previous season's Premier League being involved instead.

Therefore, if City win the FA Cup, they will take on Arsenal in the 2023/24 Community Shield. Arteta's side are guaranteed to finish in second place in the Premier League in this campaign.

That would allow the Gunners the opportunity to secure a trophy ahead of what they hope will be a successful season.