Arsenal's first six fixtures compared to Premier League rivals
We've reached the most serene point in the footballing calendar, although the release of next season's Premier League fixtures did provide a glimpse of excitement for Arsenal fans.
The fixture release offered some respite from the relentless updates regarding Arsenal's pursuit of Declan Rice, and perhaps a distraction from Kai Havertz's potential big-money arrival.
Mikel Arteta's men have genuine title aspirations for 2023/24 and here's how their start to the season looks compared to their likely title and geographical rivals.
Arsenal's first six fixtures
Arsenal benefitted from a kind start to the 2022/23 season and they've been dealt a pretty good hand to open up 2023/24.
The Gunners host the first Saturday lunchtime kick-off of the season against Nottingham Forest, the Premier League's worst away team last season, before taking on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Matchday 2. A trip to south London is never easy, but a team of Arsenal's ambition will be expected to claim all three points.
Four of Arsenal's six openers are at the Emirates, although two of these home fixtures are against Manchester United and Tottenham. Fulham also visit north London on Matchday 3, while Arsenal's second away game of the campaign isn't until Matchday 5 when they take on Everton at Goodison Park.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
12/08/2023 / 12:30 | Arsenal v Nottingham Forest |
19/08/2023 / 15:00 | Crystal Palace v Arsenal |
26/08/2023 / 15:00 | Arsenal v Fulham |
02/09/2023 / 15:00 | Arsenal v Man Utd |
16/09/2023 / 15:00 | Everton v Arsenal |
23/09/2023 / 15:00 | Arsenal v Tottenham |
Man City's first six fixtures
The treble-winners' search for an unprecedented fourth-straight Premier League title begins at Vincent Kompany's Burnley on the opening night of the season.
The Clarets enjoyed a dominant campaign in the second tier, but they were humbled 6-0 during their visit to the Etihad in the FA Cup last season. However, a raucous Turf Moor atmosphere will make life difficult for Manchester City, who have the tendency to begin the season slowly.
Their home opener is against Champions League qualifiers Newcastle the following week in what's undoubtedly their toughest fixture of their first six. Their four games after that - Sheffield Utd (A), Fulham (H), West Ham (A) and Nottingham Forest (H) - should return maximum points.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
11/08/2023 / 20:00 | Burnley v Man City |
19/08/2023 / 15:00 | Man City v Newcastle |
26/08/2023 / 15:00 | Sheffield Utd v Man City |
02/09/2023 / 15:00 | Man City v Fulham |
16/09/2023 / 15:00 | West Ham v Man City |
23/09/2023 / 15:00 | Man City v Nottingham Forest |
Man Utd's first six fixtures
It was a bittersweet end to 2022/23 for Man Utd as they secured Champions League football but were beaten in the FA Cup final by their crosstown rivals. City's eventual securing of the treble was a tough pill to swallow from a legacy perspective.
Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag will want his side to compete with the Citizens for the title in 2023/24 after laying the foundations for future success in his debut campaign at the helm.
However, their start to next season is far from simple. While they should get off on the right foot at home to Wolves on Monday night, United visit the two north London clubs within their first four and will be the visitors for Ange Postecoglou's first competitive home match as Spurs boss.
A winnable clash with Forest at Old Trafford is sandwiched between their north London venture before Brighton (H) and Burnley (A) round off their opening six games.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
14/08/2023 / 20:00 | Man Utd v Wolves |
19/08/2023 / 15:00 | Tottenham v Man Utd |
26/08/2023 / 15:00 | Man Utd v Nottingham Forest |
02/09/2023 / 15:00 | Arsenal v Man Utd |
16/09/2023 / 15:00 | Man Utd v Brighton |
23/09/2023 / 15:00 | Burnley v Man Utd |
Chelsea's first six fixtures
Mauricio Pochettino's start to life as Chelsea boss begins at Stamford Bridge in what may be the standout fixture of the opening weekend as Liverpool come to town. The two domestic behemoths underperformed in 2022/23, but each are expected to drastically improve next season with both starting XIs poised to include plenty of fresh faces.
Chelsea's opening six concludes with a tricky home game against Aston Villa, but Poch will certainly be pleased by the four fixtures that come after Liverpool's visit.
Despite their 2022/23 woes, the Blues will be favoured on their visits to West Ham and Bournemouth, and in their home games against Luton and Forest.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
13/08/2023 / 16:30 | Chelsea v Liverpool |
19/08/2023 / 15:00 | West Ham v Chelsea |
26/08/2023 / 15:00 | Chelsea v Luton |
02/09/2023 / 15:00 | Chelsea v Nottingham Forest |
16/09/2023 / 15:00 | Bournemouth v Chelsea |
23/09/2023 / 15:00 | Chelsea v Aston Villa |
Tottenham's first six fixtures
Arsenal's north London rivals are not expected to compete for the Premier League title in Postecoglou's first season at the helm. The Australian's task is a mammoth one, and he desperately needed a kind opening to his tenure.
While a trip to Brentford on the opening day isn't ideal - even in Ivan Toney's absence - Ange could secure a massive victory on his first home game in charge against United. Spurs then face last season's surprise outfit Bournemouth before taking on two newly-promoted sides in Burnley and Sheffield United.
Their first six concludes with the North London Derby at the Emirates. Ange will be looking to secure Spurs' first Premier League win at Arsenal since 2011.
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
13/08/2023 / 14:00 | Brentford v Tottenham |
19/08/2023 / 15:00 | Tottenham v Man Utd |
26/08/2023 / 15:00 | Bournemouth v Tottenham |
02/09/2023 / 15:00 | Burnley v Tottenham |
16/09/2023 / 15:00 | Tottenham v Sheffield Utd |
23/09/2023 / 15:00 | Arsenal v Tottenham |