Arsenal are set to begin a new Premier League season as champions for the first in 22 years - but do they have what it takes to retain their league crown?
The fixtures for the 2026/27 season were announced on Friday, and the Gunners have the honour of raising the curtain as they host promoted Coventry City to the Emirates Stadium on Friday, August 21.
The new season will start under the lights, and Arsenal will hope it ends with another Premier League trophy list when they are at home to Brighton at the end of May 2027.
There will be 378 other games played to help decide the identity of the champions, with many of the contenders facing upheaval.
For the first time in a decade there will be a new face in the Manchester City dugout following Pep Guardiola’s exit. His successor has not yet been named, but it is expected to be Enzo Maresca.
Andoni Iraola will be tasked with a title challenge after taking the Liverpool job, while Manchester United have handed the permanent job to Michael Carrick.
Xabi Alonso begins life at Chelsea and will be expected to keep pace with the Gunners given a lack of European football.
It leaves just Mikel Arteta at Arsenal and Unai Emery at Aston Villa as the only true constants among the expected title challengers.
Arsenal have been installed as the title favourites, while the three promoted clubs - Ipswich Town, Hull City and Coventry City - are expected to go straight back down.
And the Gunners are set for a close title battle, according to BettingLounge, who predict that Man City will push Arsenal the whole way once again.
Final Premier League table predicted
Premier League title odds
- Arsenal - 6/4
- Manchester City - 5/2
- Liverpool - 6/1
- Manchester United - 13/2
- Chelsea - 11/1
- Aston Villa - 28/1
- Newcastle - 40/1
- Tottenham - 50/1
- Brighton - 150/1
- Bournemouth - 200/1
- Everton - 250/1
- Brentford - 250/1
- Sunderland - 500/1
- Leeds - 500/1
- Fulham - 500/1
- Nottingham Forest - 500/1
- Crystal Palace - 500/1
- Ipswich - 1000/1
- Coventry - 1000/1
- Hull City - 1000/1
(Odds via Betfair, subject to change.)
