The Gunners have the honour of playing the opening game of the season at the Emirates Stadium, before a packed slate of top-flight matches across Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Just 34 days after a captivating World Cup came to an end, the Premier League returns with Arsenal aiming to cement their position as English football’s preeminent force. Arteta’s side won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years last season, finally getting their hands on the trophy after finishing as runners-up for the previous three years.
Mikel Arteta said Arsenal will embrace being “hunted” by their title rivals as the new Premier League season kicks off with the champions facing Coventry on Friday.
Bolstered by new signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, with Ezri Konsa set to join from Aston Villa, Arteta has no doubts Arsenal can cope with the pressure of being the team everyone wants to beat. Winning the Premier League was a cathartic moment for the north London club after so many near-misses raised doubts about their character. “We have the ability to improve, to evolve, and that’s what I sense and I feel around the club, especially around the players.
Coventry are back in the Premier League for the first time in 25 years after winning promotion from the Championship.
“We start from scratch, from zero, and we’re going to have to prove we are at the level to go back to that position again,” he said.
