Liverpool have been forced to give up a Premier League perk after relinquishing the title to Arsenal, who will begin the season as defending champions for the first time in 22 years.
The gold Premier League badge, added to the sleeve of the champions' shirt, has been removed from Liverpool's kit and handed to Arsenal. The Gunners host Coventry City on Friday, while Liverpool visit Newcastle on Sunday.
Gold badge history and fan reaction
Introduced for the 2015/16 season, the gold badge has been worn by Liverpool twice. Arsenal will enjoy the privilege for the first time, and fans have been adding the patch to replica shirts 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 on title defence
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."
Gunners favourites after strong start
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.
"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."
