Arsenal Premier League fixtures: Start and run-in for the 2026/27 season

Arsenal will kick off the 2026/27 Premier League season as defending champions for the first time in 22 years.

Mikel Arteta's side finally reached the promised land in 2025/26, outlasting Manchester City and finishing on top of the pile after three consecutive second-place finishes.

Playing with that target on your back can change the equation. Retaining the title would see Arteta achieve something his great mentor Arsene Wenger was unable to manage. 

Despite now being 14-time champions of England, the Gunners last retained the championship in 1934/35.

Here, we break down Arsenal's start to the campaign and the season run-in, along with some of their standout fixtures of the year to come.

MORE: Why Arsenal and Chelsea have the toughest Premier League schedule among all title rivals

Arsenal 2026/27 Premier League fixtures: First five matches

Arsenal begin the season on Friday, August 21, at home to newly promoted Coventry City.

After that, there is a tough slate of fixtures for Arteta's men prior to the September international break.

Aston Villa, who won the corresponding fixture last season, finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Europa League, represent a daunting first away fixture. 

Then a London derby against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium is followed by tricky back-to-back games on the road against Sunderland and Brighton.

Arsenal's first five Premier League fixtures 2026/27

Arsenal 2026/27 Premier League run-in

After the final international break of the season, Arsenal face their return fixture against Coventry on April 10 before welcoming Aston Villa to north London.

Bournemouth, who heightened tension among the Gunners faithful with a 2-1 win during the 2025/26 run-in, welcome Arteta's side on April 24. That game precedes the north London derby against Tottenham and a trip to Leeds.

Two of Arsenal's final three games are at home, with Nottingham Forest and Brighton on the final day sandwiching a visit to Everton on May 23.

Arsenal's Premier League run-in 2026/27

Arsenal 2026/27 key fixtures: When is the north London derby

Arsenal won both derbies against Tottenham 4-1 as their neighbours battled relegation last season. Now under the management of Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs will hope to make the local battle a more even fight.

Prior to their home derby during the run-in on May 1, Arsenal visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 5.

Games between Manchester City and Arsenal have become appointment viewing over recent seasons. Their games are only six weeks apart this season, with City at the Emirates on November 28 and Arsenal heading to the Etihad Stadium on January 30.

Liverpool beat Arsenal to the Premier League title in 2024/25 but are now under new management with Andoni Iraola. The Gunners head to Anfield on October 31 and welcome the Reds to the capital on February 6.

Manchester United vs. Arsenal is one of the Premier League's traditionally most storied fixtures. It will take place at Emirates Stadium on December 19 and Old Trafford on February 27 this season.

Following their early season joust with Chelsea, Arsenal face the return encounter at Stamford Bridge on March 13.

Arsenal every Premier League fixture 2026/27

August 21: Coventry City (H)
August 29: Aston Villa (A)

September 5: Chelsea (H)
September 12: Sunderland (A)
September 19 Brighton (A)

October 10: Leeds United (H)
October 17:  Nottingham Forest (A)
October 24: Everton (H)
October 31: Liverpool (A)

November 7: Hull City (H)
November 21: Newcastle United (A)
November 28: Manchester City (H)

December 2: Brentford (A)
December 5: Tottenham (A)
December 12: Bournemouth (H)
December 19: Manchester United (H)
December 26: Crystal Palace (A)
December 30: Fulham (A)

January 2: Ipswich Town (H)
January 6: Brentford (H)
January 16: Hull City (A)
January 23: Newcastle United (H)
January 30: Manchester City (A)

February 6: Liverpool (H)
February 10:  Ipswich Town (A)
February 20: Fulham (H)
February 27: Manchester United (A)

March 3: Crystal Palace (H)
March 13: Chelsea (A)
March 20: Sunderland (H)

April 10: Coventry City (A)
April 17: Aston Villa (H)
April 24: Bournemouth (A)

May 1: Tottenham (H)
May 8: Leeds United (A)
May 15: Nottingham Forest (H)
May 23:  Everton (A)
May 30: Brighton (H)