Emery has his work cut out

ARSENAL HOST CHAMPIONS

Arsenal’s new manager Unai Emery (pictured) faces a baptism of fire after the Gunners were handed an opening day fixture at home to Premier League champions Manchester City.

Emery, Arsenal’s first new manager since Arsene Wenger took charge in 1996, will then travel to London rivals Chelsea on the second weekend of the season.

Liverpool, who will look to build on their Champions League final appearance, open at home to West Ham United in what will be manager Manuel Pellegrini’s first competitive game in charge.

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, a distant runners-up to City last season, start at home to Leicester City while FA Cup winners Chelsea are away to Huddersfield Town.

Tottenham Hotspur, who finished third, have confirmed that their first home fixture on the second week of the season against newly-promoted Fulham will be held at Wembley.

The north London club say their first game in their new stadium will be against Liverpool on the weekend of Sept 15-16.

Tottenham played all their home games at Wembley last season while their new stadium was being constructed but work is still ongoing and the club has sought permission to return to the national stadium for one game.

Tottenham are away to Newcastle United on the opening weekend on August 11 and 12.

Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers will mark their return to the top division against Marco Silva’s Everton at Molineux.

Cardiff City, promoted with Wolves, start at Bournemouth while Fulham, who beat Aston Villa in the Championship playoff, host former manager Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace.

Southampton host Burnley on the opening day.

The season’s first Manchester derby will be at the Etihad on the weekend of November 10-11 while Arsenal host Tottenham and Liverpool greet Everton on the weekend of December 1-2. –