After coming agonisingly close yet again in last season’s Premier League, Arsenal renew their determined assault on the title as Mikel Arteta attempts to go all the way in the 2024/25 season, and with fixtures released, they know the task at hand.
Overview of the 2024/2025 Premier League Season
The Premier League sees Manchester City start yet again as champions, but renewed focus will be on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who have put together two sterling title challenges in each of the last two seasons. Any slip-up from Pep Guardiola’s men could see them primed to take advantage.
Key Fixtures and Dates
Arsenal open their season with a match-up with last year’s surprise package, Wolverhampton Wanderers. The game takes place at the Emirates on Saturday, August 17.
They have a potentially decisive season-closer away at Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday, May 25. Could Arsenal be playing for the title while Southampton are battling for survival?
Of course, clashes against title rivals Manchester City, occasional nemeses Manchester United, and London derbies against Chelsea and Tottenham also lie ahead in between those two bookends.
The London Derby: Arsenal FC vs Chelsea
Now Jose Mourinho is safely away in Turkey, and Arsene Wenger continues to tinker with the rules of the game, much of the hatred and aggro has faded away from this fixture.
Nonetheless, the enmity comes from more than just that run of furious derbies, and with Chelsea spending big once more, they could be tussling at the top of the table once more.
- Chelsea vs Arsenal – November 9
- Arsenal vs Chelsea – March 15
Arsenal FC vs Manchester City
Depending on how Liverpool start their season with new manager Arne Slot, it could be Arsenal vs Manchester City once again as attention turns to the Premier League title once more.
For the last two seasons, Pep Guardiola has ultimately won out over his former assistant, despite Arteta spending plenty of time at the top of the league for each campaign. The pressure is on Arteta and his squad to show that they will not bottle another chance, and matches against their direct rivals offer the chance to inflict damage to morale, and league standings.
- Manchester City vs Arsenal – September 21
- Arsenal vs Manchester City – February 1
Arsenal FC vs Manchester United
Before Mourinho vs Wenger, it was Ferguson vs Wenger. Alex Ferguson and the outstanding French manager ultimately grew to forge a respectful relationship, if not a friendship, in the later years of their competition, but United and Arsenal have always found ways to niggle one another on the pitch – with one Highbury bust-up leading to a points deduction, and an infamous tunnel exchange between Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira forming part of Premier League history.
Under Erik ten Hag, United have occasionally outperformed to frustrate their more talented rivals, but if the Dutchman struggles against Arsenal again this season, the pressure will mount on his tenure.
- Arsenal vs Manchester United – December 3
- Manchester United vs Arsenal – March 8
Arsenal FC vs Liverpool
Arsenal vs Liverpool has rarely been a fierce rivalry, but their famous title win at Anfield in 1989 lingers in the memories for both fans.
With Arne Slot in place as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, the former Feyenoord man will need to show that he too can produce a tactically cohesive and exciting team while operating on a budget that is often outmatched. Arsenal, for their part, can’t afford to slip up against these potential rivals after they bested Liverpool in Klopp’s farewell campaign.
- Arsenal vs Liverpool – October 26
- Liverpool vs Arsenal – May 10
The “Other” Derby from London: Arsenal FC vs Tottenham Hotspur
The North London Derby rarely has silverware at stake given the ebb and flow of Arsenal’s form since their last Premier League triumph 20 years ago, and Tottenham continue to struggle to meaningfully dominate the league regardless of which manager is in charge. However, this is a bitter rivalry as the two neighbours are increasingly competitive, and Ange Postecoglou and Mikel Arteta both appreciate the importance of claiming bragging rights.
- Tottenham vs Arsenal – September 14
- Arsenal vs Tottenham – January 14
Other Key Fixtures
The end of August could herald a make-or-break moment for Arsenal, so early in the season. They face a tricky trip to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on the 24th, and in September they must go to Tottenham and then Manchester City. Three defeats, or three wins, could set the tone.
Home and Away Matches
A visit to Manchester City offers a chance to inflict a bloody nose on the champions on September 21, with a game at the Tottenham Stadium the week before. A home game against Brighton before then therefore is a must-win, if they are not to fall behind early in the campaign.
In May, before the finale with Southampton, Arsenal play Liverpool at Anfield on May 10 in what could be a top-of-the-table face-off, and they play host to Newcastle the week after.
Important Periods in the Schedule
There is also an ominous period in the Autumn. On October 26, Liverpool visit the Emirates, before Arsenal have to travel north to Newcastle United in November, and a week later, they go to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
Expectations and Predictions
It has to be the title this time. Any other result might be a credit to the eventual winner, but after going so close twice already, there might be a dashing of optimism if they do not finally get it over the line in the 2024/25 Premier League.
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Fan Reactions and Anticipation
For Arsenal’s fans, they will surely be hoping that a new striker to replace or play alongside Gabriel Jesus can give them a ruthless cutting edge. William Saliba and Declan Rice are two excellent parts of the spine, but David Raya and Jesus might be moved on if Arteta is really ambitious. Arsenal’s passionate fanbase will be roaring on their team to become champions after a two-decade wait.
Recap of the Previous Season
More of the same. The season before last Arsenal looked like they could finally pull off a post-Wenger title triumph, only to fall away as the relentless Manchester City took over and clinched glory once more.
And last season, it was much the same, but this time questions were raised about Arsenal’s mentality under Arteta after they appeared to have triumph within their grasp. A failure in the Champions League – losing to Bayern Munich over two legs – was more painful given Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane’s presence, showing that this side is not quite elite yet.
The transfer market could make the difference, but in which direction?
