Premier League champions Manchester City have been handed a tough opening to the defence of their title ahead of the new season with a visit to the Emirates Stadium on Matchday 1.

The huge clash headlines the opening weekend of the new Premier League season (11-12 August) after the full calendar was released on Thursday morning.

It will be new Arsenal manager Unai Emery’s league bow in English football.

The Citizens’ City rivals Manchester United will host Leicester City in their first league game while UEFA Champions League (UCL) finalists Liverpool also host West Ham United.

Tottenham are away to Newcastle United on week 1, while Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Everton to Molineux.

Another newly promoted team Fulham will entertain Crystal Palace in what’s the first London Derby clash of the season, while fellow newly promoted side Cardiff City will be guests of Bournemouth.

The three other fixtures on the opening weekend see Chelsea travel to Huddersfield Town, Watford host Brighton at Vicarage Road, and Southampton host Burnley.

Week 1 Fixtures

Arsenal v Manchester City

Bournemouth v Cardiff City

Fulham v Crystal Palace

Huddersfield Town v Chelsea

Liverpool v West Ham United

Manchester United v Leicester City

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton v Burnley

Watford v Brighton

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton