Arsenal Opens Premier League Title Defense After 7-Point Triumph, Chasing First Back-to-Back Crown Since 2004-05
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Aug 16
Arsenal Opens Premier League Title Defense After 7-Point Triumph, Chasing First Back-to-Back Crown Since 2004-05
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 16
Summary
Arsenal enter the new Premier League season as defending champions for the first time since 2004-05 after finishing seven points clear of Manchester City in May.
History suggests the repeat bid will be difficult: before Pep Guardiola's recent run at City, only Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho managed successful Premier League title defenses, with psychology a major hurdle.
Mikel Arteta's side has continuity on its side, adding Bruno Guimaraes for £75m and Christos Tzolis for £34m, but defender William Saliba is set for an extended absence with a back injury.
Rivals have changed sharply around them, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool all under new managers and clubs such as Chelsea and Tottenham spending heavily to strengthen title challenges.
Opta rates Arsenal's first five fixtures as similar in difficulty to City's, starting with Coventry at home before matches against Aston Villa, Chelsea, Sunderland and Brighton.