THIS IS NOT WHO YOU WANTED FOR YOUR FIRST GAME IN ENGLAND, SEÑOR EMERY!
ARSENAL NIGHTMARE AS THEY OPEN AGAINST PEP’S CITY… AND THEN CHELSEA
UNAI EMERY has been handed a daunting start as Arsenal manager, with his side kicking off their Premier League season against Manchester City and Chelsea.
The Gunners begin their first season without Arsene Wenger at the helm since 1996 with a home game against Pep Guardiola’s formidable champions on the weekend of August 11-12, before a visit to Stamford Bridge.
As the fixtures were released yesterday, Tottenham confirmed their first match at the new White Hart Lane will be the fifth game of the season, on September 15 against Liverpool. Mauricio Pochettino’s side kick off at Newcastle and will play Fulham at Wembley in their first ‘home’ match.
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United start at home to 2016 champions Leicester and will hope to be in touch at the top by the time they visit City for the derby on November 10.
Liverpool, who kick off at home to West Ham, will play at Anfield after each of their six Champions League group games — the only side to enjoy such a run after European fixtures. Burnley’s season will start early as they enter the Europa League qualifiers following their seventh-place finish last season, and if they reach the group stage they will have an even split of three League games at home and three away following those Thursday night encounters.
Championship winners Wolves welcome Everton to Molineux first up. Fellow promoted side Cardiff begin at Bournemouth, while play-off winners Fulham start at home to Crystal Palace.