Arsenal host Coventry at Emirates Stadium as Premier League returns

The Premier League season kicks off with champions Arsenal facing newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium in North London on Friday.

Just 34 days after a captivating World Cup came to an end, the Premier League returns with Arsenal aiming to cement their position as English football’s preeminent force.

The Gunners have the honour of playing the opening game of the season at the Emirates Stadium, before a packed slate of top-flight matches across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years last season, finally getting their hands on the trophy after finishing as runners-up for the previous three years.

Installed as the bookmakers’ title favourites this term, Arsenal look well placed to reign supreme again, especially given the questions surrounding their title challengers.

They routed Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield last weekend to send a statement of intent to the chasing pack.

Bolstered by new signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, with Ezri Konsa set to join from Aston Villa, manager Mikel Arteta has no doubts Arsenal can cope with the pressure of being the team everyone wants to beat.

He said: “We start from scratch, from zero, and we’re going to have to prove we are at the level to go back to that position again.

“We need to show that desire, and the ambition to be better than what we were last season, a month ago, a week ago.

“If you give me the choice, I want to be first, I want to be hunted, and I want to be in control of our future, rather than depending on somebody else.”

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Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola will take charge of his first game in Sunday’s trip to Newcastle.

Ex-Bournemouth boss Iraola was hired by Liverpool to replace Arne Slot, who was sacked following the Reds’ disappointing fifth-place finish last season.

Xabi Alonso begins his reign as Chelsea boss with a west London derby at Fulham on Monday.

Manchester United start on Saturday at promoted Hull, who are back in the top tier for the first time since 2017.

Big-spending Tottenham, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, travel to Brentford on Saturday.

Europa League winners Aston Villa, ravaged by a host of star departures since last season, head to Brighton on Sunday.