New Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been handed a daunting start to life in the Premier League as he begins with back-to-back matches against Manchester City and Chelsea.
The Premier League this morning revealed the fixtures for the 2018-19 season and defending champions City will travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the opening match of their title defence. The Gunners then visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a week later.
Tottenham's first game at their new White Hart Lane stadium is set to be against Liverpool on September 15 following the first international break of the season.
OPENING WEEKEND FIXTURES
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Bournemouth vs Cardiff
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Huddersfield vs Chelsea
Liverpool vs West Ham
Manchester United vs Leicester
Newcastle vs Tottenham
Southampton vs Burnley
Watford vs Brighton
Wolves vs Everton
City's clash with Arsenal headlines an opening weekend of the season which also sees Manchester United host Leicester, Chelsea visit Huddersfield, Liverpool entertain West Ham and Tottenham travel to Newcastle.
The Arsenal vs City clash signals a departure from the Premier League's policy of keeping the top six sides apart on the first and last day of the season.
After facing champions City, Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in their second fixture of the campaign in an unforgiving start for new manager Emery.
Tottenham are expected to play their first home game - against Fulham on August 18 - at Wembley while work is completed on their new 62,000-seater stadium. The north London club will clarify the situation later on Thursday.
Spurs then face away trips to Manchester United and Watford before the international break - which lasts from September 3 until September 11.
-Dailymail