Arsenal open 2026-27 Premier League title defence at home against promoted Coventry

Arsenal will launch their Premier League title defence against newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday 21 August 2026, with Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues providing the opposition for a standalone season opener before the rest of the opening weekend’s fixtures follow across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Mikel Arteta’s side head into 2026-27 as champions for the first time in 22 years, having ended three successive second-place finishes by topping the table by seven points in 2025-26. Their defence was the best in the division, and a summer of significant recruitment — bringing in Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie — proved decisive.

Gyokeres finished his debut campaign with 14 Premier League goals after joining from Sporting Lisbon, double the seven managed by both Eze and Bukayo Saka. Goals were spread across the squad, with set pieces particularly productive, accounting for 25 of Arsenal’s 71 league strikes.

After the Coventry opener, Arsenal travel to Aston Villa on 29 August before hosting Chelsea in a London derby on 5 September. The visit to Anfield comes on 31 October, followed by a home fixture against Manchester City on 28 November. The first North London derby of the season is scheduled for 5 December at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the return at the Emirates on 1 May.

Arteta is already planning further additions this summer, with a new left winger identified as his priority and sporting director Andrea Berta working to strengthen the squad ahead of a campaign that will also include another Champions League tilt. Arsenal were beaten on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s final after a 1-1 draw on 30 May.

All fixtures beyond the opening day are subject to change due to broadcast scheduling selections.

Arsenal 2026-27 Premier League fixtures (selected)

21 Aug — Arsenal vs Coventry City

29 Aug — Aston Villa vs Arsenal

5 Sep — Arsenal vs Chelsea

12 Sep — Sunderland vs Arsenal

19 Sep — Brighton vs Arsenal

10 Oct — Arsenal vs Leeds United

17 Oct — Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

24 Oct — Arsenal vs Everton

31 Oct — Liverpool vs Arsenal

7 Nov — Arsenal vs Hull City

21 Nov — Newcastle United vs Arsenal

28 Nov — Arsenal vs Manchester City

5 Dec — Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal

1 May — Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur