Arsenal and Man Utd handed brutal start as 2025/26 Premier League fixtures are published | OneFootball

The Premier League released the fixture list for the 2025/26 campaign today.

Arsenal and Manchester United’s first few games immediately stood out for their difficulty. The statistics also back that claim.

The two sides meet at Old Trafford to start the season. The Red Devils are the first team in Premier League history to kick off nine consecutive seasons with a home fixture.

This year’s opener also marks just the second time United will face Arsenal in their first league match of a campaign.

The only other occasion came in 1989/90 when the Red Devils mullered the Gunners 4-1 at Old Trafford.

United have lost just two of their last 18 Premier League home games against Arsenal (W10, D6).

Ruben Amorim’s side will be eager to secure a century of wins over Arsenal. United have beaten Arsenal 99 times across all competitions. Arsenal have won 90 times and there have been 55 draws.

United will enter the 2025/26 campaign after their worst Premier League season. They finished 15th with 18 defeats, their most in a league campaign since 1973/74.

The bad news for Amorim and United is that they have been given the hardest start to the new Premier League season of any club.

The average Opta Power Rating of their opening five opponents is the highest.

After the home game against Arsenal, they face an away trip to Fulham and a home game versus newly promoted Burnley.

They travel to the Etihad Stadium for the Manchester derby on Matchday 4 before facing Chelsea in their fifth outing.

After falling short for three successive seasons, the Gunners open their season with a high-stakes clash against United at Old Trafford, followed by a tricky trip to Leeds United.

Arsenal head to Anfield to face Liverpool on Matchday 3. After hosting Nottingham Forest, they welcome Manchester City to the Emirates Stadium.

Manager Mikel Arteta knows his side must make an excellent start as they bid to end their long wait for a Premier League title.