It does not get any tougher for new Arsenal boss Unai Emery, who will welcome Premier League champions Manchester City to the Emirates in his first game in charge of the club.
The new era at Arsenal will well and truly kick off under Emery when Pep Guardiola’s men visit, with an air of excitement and anticipation surrounding the club.
It looks set to be a tricky encounter for Emery, with the champions, who were largely unrivalled in their pursuit of the league title last season, strengthening over the summer through the addition of former PFA Player of the Year, Riyad Mahrez.
Gunners fans will get their first glimpses of new signing Sokratis and Lucas Torreira, who both joined the club this summer.
Bernd Leno and Stephan Lichtsteiner will also be in contention to feature against the champions, in what is set to be a new-look Arsenal side under their new manager.
Whilst at Paris Saint-Germain, Emery favoured an attacking 4-3-3 system, boasting a forward line of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe, but it is yet to be seen how we will set his side up in London.
Those interested in football betting will be aware that City are favourites to win the game, but one could argue that there is no better time to play City, with players still recovering from a summer of football at the World Cup in Russia.
Guardiola’s side will be looking to start as they finished, as they become the next team to try and retain their Premier League title, something that has not been done since Manchester United in 2009.
City did the double over Arsenal last season, winning 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium and 3-0 in London as they closed in on the Premier League title.
A positive result for Emery would certainly calm a few nerves in North London, as the Gunners look to move on from Arsene Wenger, who stepped down at the end of last season.
