By John Moses
Arsenal are set for a tough opening to the 2025/26 Premier League season, with the fixtures released on Wednesday revealing a challenging early schedule for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners will kick off their campaign with a high-profile clash at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday, 17 August. This marks the first time since the 2022/23 season that Arsenal begin their league run on the road, having last done so with a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.
Their first home game of the season will see them welcome Leeds United, freshly promoted to the Premier League, to the Emirates Stadium, before heading to Anfield to take on Liverpool on 30 August.
After the first international break, Arsenal will host back-to-back fixtures against Nottingham Forest and reigning champions Manchester City, before wrapping up the month of September with a visit to Newcastle United.
October brings a series of London derbies as the Gunners prepare to face West Ham, Fulham, and Crystal Palace. November features consecutive away trips to newly promoted sides Burnley and Sunderland, ahead of a blockbuster north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on 22 November — a match with added edge following Spurs’ recent Europa League triumph.
Arsenal will be aiming to finally lift the Premier League trophy after finishing as runners-up for three successive seasons — twice to Manchester City (2022–2024) and once to Liverpool (2024/25).
Last season also saw the Gunners reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2009, eliminating Real Madrid in the quarter-finals before falling to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain, who secured the title with a dominant 5-0 win over Inter Milan.
With another promising squad under Arteta and a demanding start ahead, Arsenal will be under pressure to maintain consistency and launch a serious title challenge.
