Arsenal begin title defence with pressure of being Premier League’s team to beat

Champions Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence against newly promoted Coventry on Friday, with manager Mikel Arteta welcoming the pressure of being “hunted” by the clubs seeking to reclaim the trophy.

The Gunners will stage the opening match of the new season at Emirates Stadium, just 34 days after an enthralling World Cup concluded. A full programme of top-flight fixtures will then take place from Saturday to Monday.

Arsenal won the title for the first time in 22 years last season and start the new campaign as bookmakers’ favourites to finish top again. They strengthened that status by beating Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield last weekend, an emphatic early statement to their rivals.

The champions have added Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and Greece international Christos Tzolis to their squad, while Ezri Konsa is expected to join from Aston Villa. Guimaraes is among the prominent players to have switched clubs during the summer after leaving Newcastle United for Arsenal.

Arteta says his side are prepared for the added scrutiny that comes with being champions and a team every opponent wants to defeat.

“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,” the Arsenal manager said.

“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.”

Arsenal’s triumph last season ended a long period of disappointment for the north London club, whose repeated near-misses had led to questions about their ability to handle pressure.

Arteta believes overcoming that challenge can help Arsenal as they attempt to win consecutive league titles for the first time since the 1930s.

“We need to breathe because it’s going to be a long marathon,” he said.

“We have the ability to improve, to evolve, and that’s what I sense and I feel around the club, especially around the players.”

Manchester City, who finished runners-up last term, begin a new era when they host Bournemouth on Sunday. Pep Guardiola stepped down at the end of last season after winning 20 trophies during a highly successful decade at Etihad Stadium.

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has taken on the difficult task of matching the Spaniard’s achievements at City.

Liverpool will also have a new manager in charge when they travel to Newcastle on Sunday. Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola begins his first match at Liverpool after replacing Arne Slot, who was dismissed following the Reds’ disappointing fifth-place finish last season.

Liverpool will be without Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, who has moved to Turkish club Trabzonspor. Salah and Guardiola, two of the Premier League’s most recognisable figures, are among the high-profile departures of the summer, although the competition remains filled with established stars and emerging talent.

At Chelsea, Xabi Alonso starts his reign with a west London derby at Fulham on Monday. Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid after less than eight months in charge last season, while Chelsea’s expensive but underperforming squad will be looking to respond after finishing a disappointing 10th.

“We feel ready. The desire, the ambition, the hunger to start the Premier League is already in the building, looking forward to it,” Alonso said.

Manchester United begin their campaign on Saturday away to promoted Hull, who return to the top flight for the first time since 2017. United manager Michael Carrick has recruited Belgium World Cup midfielder Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, along with Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow. A move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is also being pursued.

Tottenham, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, travel to Brentford on Saturday after spending heavily. Their squad now includes Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, each signed for about £100m ($136.5m).

Europa League winners Aston Villa, meanwhile, visit Brighton on Sunday after losing a number of players since last season.