Arsenal will play Manchester United and champions Liverpool in the first three weeks of the new premiership season, which kicks off on Friday, August 15, 2025. Arsenal and United could not have had a tougher start to the new season, with both teams facing themselves on Sunday, August 17, at the Emirates.
Manchester United’s form last season might not make this the test it once was, but they go to the Emirates in the single weekend between matchdays seven and eight, so Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta might hope qualification from the league stage is relatively secure by then.
According to the fixtures released Wednesday, champions Liverpool will host Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 Premier League season, with Manchester United playing Arsenal at Old Trafford. This will be the first full season for United Manager Amorim, who struggled to a 17th-place finish last season.
Liverpool, who won the league in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, will begin their title defence at Anfield in the curtain-raiser on Friday, 15 August.
Data from Opta shows the difficulty of every team’s first five fixtures.
According to Opta’s ‘power rankings’ data, Manchester United have the hardest start as they play three of last season’s top four in their opening five games.
Arsenal, who will be looking to improve on their three consecutive second-place finishes, are perceived to have the next toughest start, with games against holders Liverpool and Manchester City, who have won the previous four titles.
Analysts say the match between Arsenal, who have been runner-up for the last three seasons, and Liverpool will happen at a time when Mo Salah will be playing for Egypt in the African Cup of Nations.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are said to have the easiest start of the campaign, despite facing Champions League qualifiers Newcastle in their first match.
Leeds have been judged to have been handed the toughest opening run of the three promoted sides, with games against Arsenal and Newcastle.
Newly promoted Sunderland, back in the top flight for the first time since 2016-17, start their campaign at home against West Ham the following day.
Championship winners Leeds welcome Everton to Elland Road for the Monday night game, while Burnley – promoted back to the top flight at the first time of asking – travel to Europa League holders Tottenham, who Thomas Frank will lead in a league match for the first time.
