Arabic version: أرسنال يواجه اختباراً في الدفاع عن لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز

According to BBC News, Arsenal start the new Premier League campaign as defending champions after finishing seven points ahead of Manchester City in May. It is the first time the Gunners have begun a season as title holders since 2004-05, and they are favourites to win the trophy again.

History suggests retaining the title can be difficult. Pep Guardiola successfully defended the league crown four times with Manchester City after his first title in 2017-18, but before his arrival only Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho had managed successful Premier League title defences. Former winger Andros Townsend told BBC Radio 5 Live that the competitive division and the mentality required after the relief of winning can make repeating the achievement hard.

Arsenal have continuity under Mikel Arteta, now in his seventh year as manager, while Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea enter the season with new managers. Arsenal’s significant arrivals are Greece forward Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for £75m. Arteta said Guimaraes has the quality, leadership and character to help the team reach “the next level”.

However, Arsenal will be without defender William Saliba for an “extended period” following a back injury suffered at the World Cup. His partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes was central to the side’s defensive consistency last season, and the duration of his absence could be important despite Arsenal’s attempts to sign Ezri Konsa.

Arsenal open by hosting Coventry before away matches at Aston Villa, Sunderland and Brighton, with Chelsea visiting in between. Opta’s global power rankings rate Arsenal’s first five fixtures at the same level of difficulty as Manchester City’s, while Manchester United have the most agreeable opening schedule among the probable title contenders.