Video footage has surfaced of Arsenal and Manchester City supporters brawling in Cardiff city centre ahead of Sunday's Community Shield. The unsavoury scenes were filmed outside O'Neill's on St Mary Street, showing supporters fighting as the pre-match atmosphere intensified.
Premier League champions Arsenal face FA Cup winners Manchester City in the Welsh capital, with the match serving as the customary opener for England's top-flight football season between two clubs well-fancied to fight for the title again this season.
Punches thrown in city centre
Punches were thrown between the two sets of fans. One Arsenal supporter, wearing a replica kit emblazoned with 'Champions 26' on the back, is seen tussling with another individual while numerous other fans look on as they traded punches. As the scuffle ensues, some appear to step in as peacemakers while another supporter can be seen running in and punching the man who fought with the Arsenal fan. While others douse the brawlers with their pints, while others simply initiate chants of 'Arsenal, Arsenal'.
Despite the Community Shield often being regarded as a relatively minor trophy and a glorified pre-season match by sceptical fans, this hasn't prevented some tensions from escalating prior to the start of the game between two fanbases that clashed last season as the Gunners wrestled the title away from Pep Guardiola's side.
Stadium switch and support
The Community Shield is being staged in Cardiff for the first time in 20 years due to Wembley being unavailable because of a scheduling conflict with The Weeknd's 'After Hours til Dawn' tour. Due to the World Cup, the delayed top-flight schedule has resulted in the Principality Stadium being selected to host the showdown between the two clubs.
Arsenal have been incredibly well supported in Wales and outnumber the City supporters in the city and inside the stadium. Mikel Arteta's side have made that additional support count and lead 2-0 thanks to Riccardo Calafiori's goal after 24 seconds and Kai Havertz's header.
Background to tensions
Tensions rose between the two clubs last year after Arsenal were slammed as 'bottlers' by City fans, who teased their rival supporters by drinking out of water bottles marked with their club crest. But the north Londoners had the last laugh when Arteta's side powered their way to win their first league title in over 20 years.
