ALL THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
First up for the new Gunners boss is a clash with last season’s champions City, while Red Devils start against Leicester
THERE’S NO easing into the job for new Arsenal manager Unai Emery. The Spaniard faces a daunting debut on Sunday when Arsenal host champions Manchester City in the highlight match of the Premier League’s opening weekend.
As if replacing the legendary Arsene Wenger doesn’t bring enough pressure, Emery must also contend with a City side that won the title with record-breaking ease.
“We want to play a good game for everybody,” he said.
“It’s a great rivalry and to start at Emirates Stadium against Manchester City is the first important focus for us.
“With all the energy of the players and the supporters, we know we can start the season with a big performance against a big team.”
City are heavy favourites to be the first repeat champions since Manchester United in 2009 but manager Pep Guardiola isn’t expecting a cakewalk this time around.
“We are not going to break any more records in the Premier League, it is impossible,” he said.
“The target is win the next game and how to prepare to win the game.
“The records we took last season was a consequence of what we’ve done every single day.”
Manchester United, last season’s runners-up, and Leicester City get the ball rolling on the new campaign tonight at Old Trafford.
It’s the third season for United boss Jose Mourinho, who has constantly stressed the need to add to his squad this summer.
“On Friday, the Premier League starts,” he said.
“We play for points and it’s with the players we have.
“There is no time to cry,” he added.
Liverpool start the chase for their first league title since 1990 by hosting West Ham on Sunday.
Juergen Klopp has spent more than £175-million to add to his squad, leading to plenty of excitement at Anfield.
“The players from last year are responsible for the excitement, and then we brought in a few new players as an icing on the cake,” the Liverpool manager said.
“Now we have to make the last step, we have to bring ourselves into the competition, in a championship mood.
“I’m happy we can start at the weekend because pre-season is good but the season is even better.”
Promoted sides Wolverhampton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Fulham make their long-awaited returns to the Premier League.
Wolves, who last played in the division in 2012, are home to Everton while Cardiff visit Bournemouth and Fulham host Crystal Palace in the first top-flight games for both in four years.
“After the season finished last year, most of the boys couldn’t wait until the season started again,” Fulham’s Stefan Johansen said.
“This is where we want to be, playing against Crystal Palace, we open at home and the Cottage is going to be full.
“We had some great games there last year with fantastic atmospheres and we hope the fans can turn up the same way as they did last year and it’s up to us to put on a show for them.”
In other opening games, Maurizio Sarri makes his debut as Chelsea manager at Huddersfield, Newcastle welcome Tottenham, Watford host Brighton and Southampton take on Burnley.
FIXTURES SUBJECT TO CHANGE