Nottingham Forest (H) – August 12, 2023
Starting the season off well is as important as finishing strongly too. Nottingham Forest was a game which juxtaposed the Gunners’ season in the previous campaign after a storming 5-0 win at the Emirates Stadium compared to a 1-0 defeat at the City Ground which ended their title hopes.
However, with the potential of the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz added to their squad, Mikel Arteta will be looking to ensure a very strong start to the Gunners’ season. Manchester City will have played the day before with an away trip to Vincent Kompany’s Burnley whilst Chelsea host Liverpool meaning a good chance to get an early lead over one or more of their potential rivals for the season.
Manchester United (H) – September 2, 2023
Last season, Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford for their sixth game and saw their winning run ended with a 3-1 defeat in controversial circumstances after Gabriel Martinelli’s opener was ruled out. Having faced Forest, Crystal Palace and Fulham, the Gunners will hope to be again on a winning run as they face the Red Devils.
Man United’s potential takeover has promised serious spending and many pundits have tipped them to challenge for the title next season, again. However a win for Arsenal here could deal a heavy blow to the early season optimism.
Manchester City (H) – October 2, 2023
Like all of Arsenal’s games following their midweek Champions League group stage matches, the Gunners are at home and in the first week of October they face their title rivals, should both sides again be in the race in 2023/24. Last time Arsenal lost to City at the Emirates Stadium 3-1 after a number of individual errors and missing midfielder Thomas Partey.
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If Arsenal want to win the league, many feel they have to beat City in order to do so. Therefore the home clash against Pep Guardiola’s side presents the best opportunity.
The game follows an away trip to Bournemouth and the home north London derby so Arteta will hope to have built some momentum going into the game. However, it will be interesting to see who their midweek UCL opponent is before hosting the treble winners.
Liverpool (H) – February 3, 2024
The first game after the closure of the January transfer window, whatever the Arsenal squad is that takes on Liverpool will be what Mikel Arteta will have to take the club until the end of the season. Last year the Gunners made a marker in the league by beating the Reds 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium but the clash was not short of controversial goals and penalty calls.
Liverpool are hoping to resurrect their status as title challengers themselves and should Arsenal again be in with a chance of the title, beating their old foes will be imperative. The game follows a midweek trip to Nottingham and so rotation might be the focus once again.
Tottenham (A) – April 27, 2024
As if by some piece of nostalgic magic, Arsenal travel to Tottenham Hotspur’s ground on April 27, two days after the 20-year anniversary that they won the Premier League in 2004. If they are indeed in a title race next season, with three games to follow the North London Derby, could history repeat itself?
With the strength of Manchester City, it seems unlikely, with any challenge needing to go all the way to the final day. However, there could be plenty of a narrative to the match for both sides in this historic week for the club.
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