Summary

  • Premier League returns as Arsenal begin title defence against promoted Coventry

  • Sky Blues playing first top-flight match in 25 years

  • Will Gunners retain title? Have your say at top of page

  • Saka and Rice start for Arsenal, seven players making Premier League debut for Coventry

  • Heard about our new Match of the Day Predictor game? Predict this weekend's scores here before tonight's game kicks off

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  1. Gearing up for it in north Londonpublished at 19:10 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    A street vendor points to a scarf supporting Christos Tzolis of Arsenal outside the stadium before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England.Image source, Getty Images
    Fans of Coventry City pose for a photo outside the stadium before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England.Image source, Getty Images
  2. 'We know how annoying new teams can be'published at 19:08 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal's Ricardo Calafiori speaking to Sky Sports on if Arsenal can retain the title: "We are ready to start the season. It will be a long journey. We are focused on this game and we will see after."

    On beating Manchester City in the Community Shield: "It was a nice test for us for our mentality after winning last season."

    On Coventry: "It's always tough when a new team comes to our league. We know how annoying they can be, but we are prepared."

  3. Arsenal tipped to win it againpublished at 19:07 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    We asked 26 of our BBC Sport pundits to predict who would win the Premier League and let's just say it was pretty conclusive.

    Twenty-three of them tipped Arsenal to win the league again, while Joe Hart, Paul Robinson and Shay Given went with Man City.

    Overall expected ranking:

    1. Arsenal (109 points)
    2. Manchester City (73)
    3. Liverpool (38)
    4. Chelsea (35)
    5. Manchester United (21)
    6. Aston Villa and Tottenham (both two)
  4. Preview the new Premeir League seasonpublished at 19:05 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    BBC Sounds

    Head over to BBC Sounds right now as Darren Fletcher is joined by Clinton Morrison, Don Hutchison and Kevin Nolan to preview the new season on Premier League Kick-Off, before regular updates of Arsenal v Coventry.

    Premier League kick-off show
  5. get involved

    Get Involved - Prediction timepublished at 19:03 BST

    Use 'Get involved' to have your say

    Right then, guys, you all know the drill by now.

    Now's your time to get in touch and have your message posted on this very page.

    We'll go nice and simple for now - who is going to win the league and who is going down?

    GO!

  6. When does the summer transfer window close?published at 19:01 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    The summer transfer window will close for Premier League and EFL clubs at 23:00 BST on Tuesday, 1 September.

    The window opened for a second time this year on Monday, 15 June.

    Fifa rules state a transfer window cannot last more than 16 weeks in a calendar year.

    Last season, the transfer window for clubs in the Premier League and English Football League closed at 19:00 to move it in line with the working day. However, it has returned to its usual 23:00 slot this season.

    The windows in Spain, Germany, Italy all close on the same day, but earlier in the evening. In Ligue 1, the window shuts a day earlier.

    Clubs in Scotland have until 17:00 on Thursday, 3 September to complete their business.

    The Women's Super League transfer window also closes on Thursday, 3 September.

    This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

  7. Who have Coventry signed so far?published at 19:00 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Coventry have enjoyed a busy summer transfer window so far, with the Sky Blues bringing in 10 new faces as they prepare for the season ahead. Here are their arrivals so far:

    • Frank Onyeka - from Brentford - fee undisclosed, although reports suggest around £6m
    • Loum Tchaouna - from Burnley - £20m reported
    • Aurele Amenda - from Eintracht Frankfurt - £17.2m reported
    • Carl Rushworth - from Brighton & Hove Albion - £22.5m reported
    • Caleb Yirenkyi - from Nordsjælland - £26m reported
    • Gustavo Hamer - from Sheffield United - £6m reported
    • Taiwo Awoniyi - from Nottingham Forest - £9m reported
    • Sidiki Cherif - from Fenerbahce - £20.5m reported
    • Daniel Bentley - from Wolves - fee undisclosed
    • Callum Perry - contract extension - no transfer fee
    Gustavo Hamer of Coventry City during the pre-season friendly match between Coventry City and AS Monaco at The Coventry Building Society Arena.Image source, Getty Images
  8. Who have Arsenal signed so far?published at 18:58 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Arsenal have been busy in the transfer window as they look to strengthen their squad and defend the Premier League title. Here are their arrivals so far:

    • Bruno Guimaraes - from Newcastle United - £75m
    • Christos Tzolis - from Club Brugge - £34m
    • Illan Meslier - from Leeds United - free transfer
    • Piero Hincapie - from Bayer Leverkusen - £34.5m
    • Ezri Konsa - from Aston Villa - £51m
    Bruno Guimarães of Arsenal celebrates winning the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Principality Stadium.Image source, Getty Images
  9. Arsenal confirm Konsa signingpublished at 18:56 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    The best defence in the Premier League has just added another defender to its ranks.

    Arsenal have confirmed the signing of England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for a fee worth £55m.

    That's quite the signing, isn't it?

    Mikel Arteta and Ezri KonsaImage source, Getty Images
  10. What are the new rules for the new Premier League season?published at 18:55 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    The 2026-27 season will feature an unprecedented number of new laws, mostly designed to tackle tempo disruption and make the game quicker.

    The idea is to cut out those moments which cause supporters real frustration, and get more football played without adding on loads of stoppage time.

    The changes are intended to change player behaviour, rather than be applied as a strict punishment.

    The new rules include:

    • Countdowns for goal-kicks and throw-ins
    • Time-limited substitutions
    • Injured players must now go off for one minute
    • No more goalkeeper tactical timeouts?
    • Handling the ball in the area
    • More VAR

    You can read a full breakdown of the rule changes from BBC Sport's football issues correspondent Dale Johnson here.

    Referee, Anthony Taylor during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium.Image source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 18:54 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Something to look out for tonight and all season...

  12. Tzolis watchpublished at 18:53 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Quite intrigued to see how Arsenal's new left winger Christos Tzolis gets on tonight. He looked tidy against Man City in the Community Shield win last Sunday.

    Fancy him to carry that on?

    Antoine Semenyo chasing Christos TzolisImage source, Getty Images
  13. No Guimaraes in squad after knock, Martinelli left outpublished at 18:51 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Alex Howell
    BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at Emirates Stadium

    Mikel Arteta has gone full strength for the first home game of the season.

    Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka start for the first time since returning from the World Cup.

    There is a blow though as Bruno Guimaraes is not in the squad after picking up a knock in the Community Shield.

    There's also no place for Gabriel Martinelli who the Gunners will allow to leave the club if the right offer comes in.

  14. Team news - Rice and Saka start for Arsenalpublished at 18:49 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta makes two changes to his side from their win over Manchester City in the Community Shield.

    Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are back in the starting line-up but new signing Bruno Guimaraes misses out with an injury and Noni Madueke drops to the bench.

    Christos Tzolis, the winger signed from Club Brugge, is set to make his Premier League debut.

    Arsenal XI: Raya, Mosquera, White, Calafiori, Gabriel, Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis, Havertz, Rice, Lewis-Skelly.

    Subs: Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, Eze, Gyokeres, Madueke, Nwaneri, Merino, Zubimendi, Dowman.

    Arsenal XI

    Coventry City manager Frank Lampard has named five summer signings in the line-up as the club play their first Premier League since 2001.

    Carl Rushworth, Aurele Amenda, Frank Onyeka, Loum Tchaouna and record signing Caleb Yirenkyi, start while Taiwo Awoniyi and Gustavo Hamer are options from the bench.

    Coventry City XI: Rushworth, Dasilva, Thomas, Grimes, Yirenkyi, Simms, Onyeka, Thomas-Asante, Amenda, Tchaouna, Van Ewijk.

    Subs: Wilson, Rudoni, Sakamoto, Awoniyi, Kitching, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Torp, Hamer.

    Coventry City XI
  15. The Champions have arrivedpublished at 18:48 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Mikel ArtetaImage source, Getty Images
    Max DowmanImage source, Getty Images
  16. Tzolis starts for Arsenalpublished at 18:46 BST
    Breaking

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    We'll have full team news coming in the next few minutes but I'll tell you now that new Arsenal signing Bruno Guimaraes is absent from the squad but Christos Tzolis starts.

    As for Coventry, new boy Taiwo Awoniyi is among the subs.

  17. Coventry end 25-year Premier League waitpublished at 18:43 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Coventry may not have won the Premier League but their fans probably feel like they did!

    On 17 April, Coventry ended their 25-year wait for a return to the top flight and went on to be crowned Championship winners.

    So, tonight, the Sky Blues will play their first Premier League game since 2001.

    Coventry players with Championship trophyImage source, Getty Images
    Coventry celebration busImage source, Getty Images
  18. Postpublished at 18:41 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    For those of you eagle-eyed enough, you may have noticed I posted the below graphic but jumped a month to September.

    You passed the test. Well played.

  19. Coming up on this first weekendpublished at 18:40 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    And this is what's on offer in this opening weekend of the new Premier League season as teams look to get going with three points.

    Of course, we'll have live texts of all 10 matches.

    Premier League fixtures
  20. Arsenal's wait comes to an endpublished at 18:37 BST

    Arsenal v Coventry (20:00 BST)

    Sunday, 24 May 2026 is a day that will live long in the memory of every Arsenal fan.

    After 22 long years, the Gunners finally got their hands on the Premier League trophy and what a celebration it was as they turned London red.

    Just look at those faces!

    Arsenal lift the Premier LeagueImage source, Getty Images
    Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta and the Premier League trophyImage source, Getty Images