Arsenal ready to be “hunted” as Premier League returns

Head coach Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will embrace being hunted by their title rivals as the Premier League kicks off, with the champions hosting newly promoted Coventry City on Friday – just 34 days after the World Cup ended.

Arsenal won the league for the first time in 22 years last season and go in as bookmakers' favourites, having routed Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield and strengthened with Bruno Guimarães and Christos Tzolis, plus the incoming Ezri Konsa.

Arteta said the club was starting from zero again and needed to show the same desire and ambition to defend the title, adding he'd rather be hunted and in control of Arsenal's own destiny than dependent on others.

He called the campaign a “long marathon” as Arsenal chase their first back-to-back titles since the 1930s.

Coventry mark a bittersweet return to the top flight after 25 years away, with manager Frank Lampard warning of tougher times ahead against stronger opposition.

The weekend also brings new management eras: Enzo Maresca succeeds Pep Guardiola at Manchester City (home to Bournemouth), Andoni Iraola takes his first Liverpool game away to Newcastle, and Xabi Alonso begins at Chelsea with a derby at Fulham.

Manchester United open away to promoted Hull, Tottenham travel to Brentford, and Aston Villa visit Brighton.