It what seems like just a few weeks since Arsenal claimed the 2025/2026 Premier League title, it's almost time to take to the field again to defend that title and in this article we take a look at our opposition for the first few game weeks of the new Premier League season.
Friday 21st August, Arsenal v Coventry City
Newly promoted Coventry City will be the first side to take on Champions Arsenal this season in the Premier League and it's a baptism of fire for the west midlands outfit as they travel to the Emirates undoubtedly as underdogs. Managed by former West Ham and Chelsea midfielder, Frank Lampard, the Sky Blues return to the top flight after 25 years and they return on the back of a hugely successful season last year, winning the Championship by an impressive 11 points over 2nd placed Ipswich Town. The success that they enjoyed in the Championship will fill them with confidence and rightfully so but they will be very much aware of the stiff test that awaits them at the home of the champions on opening day and especially after watching the Gunners demolish Manchester city in the community shield on Sunday. The Blues have won their last two pre-season games against Espanyol 3-1 and AS Monaco 2-0 but will fear the potency that Arteta has created at Arsenal and predictions are for a comfortable home win.
Prediction Home Win 3-0
Monday 31st August, Aston Villa v Arsenal
Unai Emery's Aston Villa are next up for the Gunners on Monday 31st August and will provide a stern examination of Mikel Arteta's tactics early in the new season. Arsenal have won three out of the last five match ups played at Villa Park but Emery in recent years has done excellent work with the Villain's, winning the UEFA Europa League last season and finishing 4th in the league. Nonetheless, despite that thrilling end to their 2025/2026 campaign, the Villa haven't had the best pre-season warm up, losing four out of the five played although one of those losses to be fair was the Super Cup match against PSG where they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat. Losing two of their core players from last season wasn't ideal either with Morgan Rogers moving to Chelsea for a record £117m and Youri Tielemans departing to Manchester United for £35m. A shining light for Unai Emery though was the ruling last week by the court of arbitration that 17 year old Brian Madjo who was signed for £10 million from French club Metz in January 2026 is now cleared to play, and the teenager proved his valuation almost immediately with a goal in the super cup match against PSG, one to watch this season for sure. That aside, Arsenal's strength in depth and key additions this summer in Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis will be key to prising open the Villa defence, and in a hard fought game, the Gunners should have the quality to take all points here.
17 YEARS OLD. UEFA SUPER CUP HISTORY. ✅
— PurelyFootball ℗ (@PurelyFootball) August 16, 2026
Brian Madjo became the competition’s youngest-ever goalscorer. 🏴💎pic.twitter.com/1RMNopd8VW
Prediction Away Win 1-2
Sunday 6th September, Arsenal v Chelsea
A London derby against Chelsea is Arsenal's third fixture of the season and with new manager Xabi Alonso at the helm it promises to be a lively encounter for the champions. Chelsea had a disappointing season last time out finishing 10th and outside of the European qualifying spots. Alonso will be looking to take advantage of the lack of European football this season and concentrate on the league, the uncongested fixture list will be a plus for the Chelsea manager and ensure he has a full team available for all league games. Chelsea tactics in the summer saw them utilise a 3,4,2,1 system for a lot of their pre season games and with a potent front three of Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and João Pedro, it proved successful with standout player Pedro netting 7 times in 5 friendlies. Their defence however conceded a lot of chances in those friendlies and Arsenal with their high press can exploit this to good effect as Manchester City found out to their determent last Sunday in the Community shield. After a long title winning season and world cup, key players such as Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice should be regular starters again at this stage and this should give the Gunners the edge over their London rivals.
Prediction Home Win 3-1
Saturday 12th September, Sunderland v Arsenal
The Black Cats welcome Mikel Arteta's Arsenal to Wearside in the fourth league match of the season and with history very much on Arsenal's side it could be a tough match for the Sunderland faithful. Playing a total of 19 times at the Stadium of Light since 1996 in the Premier League, Arsenal have won 9 times while Sunderland have managed just 4 wins from their home advantage, the teams sharing the spoils in the other 6. Last time out it took a 94th minute equaliser from Brian Brobbey to secure a point for Sunderland in the same fixture and although Arteta's side are favourites, it will require a professional performance to prise the three points out of a resilient Sunderland.
Prediction Away Win 1-3
