Arsenal begin Premier League title defence as rivals overhaul management ahead of new season

Arsenal kick off their Premier League title defence on Friday, 21 August, hosting newly-promoted Coventry City in the opening fixture of the new season, with Mikel Arteta’s side aiming to become only the fourth team in the competition’s history to win back-to-back titles.

The Gunners claimed the championship by seven points last May, ending a 22-year wait for the trophy. Now they face a significantly reshuffled set of rivals, with three of their closest challengers installing new managers over the summer.

Pep Guardiola departed Manchester City after a decade and ten trophies, handing the reins to Enzo Maresca, who previously managed Leicester City and Chelsea. Liverpool have moved on from Arne Slot, bringing in former Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola. Chelsea, who cycled through two managers last season and finished tenth, have appointed Xabi Alonso — most recently in charge at Real Madrid — as they bid to close the gap on the division’s elite.

Manchester United, who impressed under Michael Carrick last term, enter the campaign as another credible challenger, while Coventry City return to the top flight for the first time in 25 years.

In the race for the Golden Boot, Erling Haaland arrives having netted 27 league goals last season — his third top-scorer award in four years — and added seven more for Norway at the World Cup over the summer. Alexander Isak of Liverpool and Brentford’s Igor Thiago, who finished second behind Haaland with 22 goals last term, are among those expected to push him closest.

At the other end of the table, the newly-promoted sides face the steepest challenge. Hull City, who beat Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final to earn promotion, and last season’s Championship winners Coventry City are among the early favourites to go straight back down, joined by Ipswich Town. Sunderland, despite finishing seventh and qualifying for European football last season, are also considered vulnerable by early market assessments.