Arsenal’s 2025/26 Premier League fixtures: key games for your diary

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The wait is over. The Premier League is back, and Arsenal return to action in 2025/26 with one goal on their minds: finally reclaiming the title. After three consecutive seasons of falling just short under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners enter the new campaign hungrier than ever. The Emirates faithful are desperate to see their side lift the trophy for the first time since the Invincibles in 2004, and this season promises to be another fierce battle at the top.

Arteta’s project has brought Arsenal consistency, stability, and a return to the elite level of English football. But the time for nearly moments is over. Arsenal must now convert promise into silverware. This summer has already underlined the club’s ambition, with significant investment across the squad, signalling the intent to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City and leave no room for regrets in May.

Arsenal’s summer transfer business

Arsenal didn’t waste time in strengthening. Nearly £200 million has already been spent, making this the second-highest transfer outlay in the club’s history. The headline arrival is Viktor Gyökeres, the prolific Swedish striker whose physical presence and ruthless finishing add a new dimension to the attack. He has the potential to become the focal point Arsenal have lacked since the days of Robin van Persie.

Joining him is Martin Zubimendi, a technically gifted deep-lying midfielder from Real Sociedad, widely regarded as one of the best in Europe in his role. His ability to dictate tempo and shield the backline should ease the load on Declan Rice while giving Martin Ødegaard more freedom to influence the game higher up.

The addition of Noni Madueke further sharpens Arsenal’s forward options. The England international brings pace, unpredictability, and a willingness to take on defenders, particularly useful against stubborn low-block defences — the kind that frustrated Arsenal in last season’s 14 draws.

Defensively, Cristhian Mosquera has also bolstered the backline, adding competition and versatility. The result is a squad that looks deeper, more balanced, and ready to challenge on all fronts.

Key fixtures for Arsenal in 2025/26

While every match counts in a title race, certain fixtures define a season. Whether it’s battles with direct rivals or the intensity of a North London derby, these are the games Arsenal fans should circle on their calendars.

August 17, 2025: Manchester United (a)

Arsenal’s season begins at Old Trafford, a venue that always carries weight and history. United may be inconsistent in recent years, but trips to Manchester are never easy. Last season’s meeting here ended in a frustrating draw that felt like two points dropped in the title race.

Starting the campaign with a statement win away from home would send a clear message: Arsenal are ready to hit the ground running. Gyökeres will be itching to announce himself on the Premier League stage, and the midfield battle between Rice, Zubimendi, and United’s engine room could be decisive.

August 31, 2025: Liverpool (a)

Two weeks later comes another heavyweight clash, this time at Anfield. Arsenal’s record there has been notoriously poor, but recent performances have shown progress. If Arteta’s men want to prove they’ve developed the mentality of champions, standing firm in one of the league’s most hostile arenas is essential.

This will be the first real test of Arsenal’s improved defensive depth. Keeping Liverpool’s frontline quiet while finding space for Saka and Martinelli (or Madueke) to stretch the pitch could be the difference between another Anfield disappointment and a result that boosts belief across North London.

September 21, 2025: Manchester City (h)

It’s impossible to talk about Arsenal’s season without mentioning Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side remain the benchmark, the team to beat. Arsenal’s home fixture against City in September is one of the campaign’s most pivotal matches, especially so early on.

The Emirates will be electric, and the players will need to channel that energy. Last season, Arsenal stunning 5-1 win at the Emirates gave belief that City can be beaten in head-to-head encounters. Do it again, and the Gunners not only take crucial points but also strike a psychological blow in the title race.

November 22, 2025: Tottenham Hotspur (h)

The first North London derby of the season arrives just before winter, and as always, it’s about more than just bragging rights. Arsenal dominated Spurs at home last season, but every derby carries its own script.

With both teams aiming for Champions League qualification at minimum, this game will be fiery. The Emirates crowd will expect intensity from the first whistle, and Arsenal will be favourites to deliver. Nothing galvanises a title push quite like beating Spurs.

November 29, 2025: Chelsea (a)

A week later, it’s a trip across London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have been unpredictable in recent seasons but remain a dangerous opponent with a squad full of talent.

Arsenal struggled at Stamford Bridge in past campaigns, often finding themselves in chaotic, end-to-end matches. This is where Arsenal’s maturity must show. A controlled performance, particularly from Rice and Zubimendi in midfield, could tilt the balance. Leave with three points, and it would be a significant marker of growth.

January 7, 2026: Liverpool (h)

The first game of the new year at the Emirates brings Liverpool to town. By this stage of the season, the title race will be shaping up, and dropping points here could be costly.

Arsenal have beaten Liverpool at home under Arteta before, but consistency is key. Gyökeres against Liverpool’s backline will be a fascinating battle, while Bukayo Saka will look to shine under the bright lights. This is the type of fixture where champions show their mettle.

January 24, 2026: Manchester United (h)

Just two weeks later, Arsenal host Manchester United at the Emirates. If the opening-day clash at Old Trafford is about making a statement, this one is about maintaining pressure at the top of the table.

United will likely be fighting for a Champions League spot, but Arsenal should view this as a must-win at home. Ødegaard’s creativity will be vital in unlocking what will surely be a compact United defence.

February 21, 2026: Tottenham Hotspur (a)

The away North London derby is circled on every Arsenal fan’s calendar. Trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are rarely straightforward, but recent visits have seen Arsenal play with composure and dominance.

Three points here wouldn’t just be sweet for the fans — it could be season-defining. Every title-winning side has a defining away day, and this could be Arsenal’s in 2026.

February 28, 2026: Chelsea (h)

A week after Spurs, Arsenal face Chelsea at the Emirates. Back-to-back London derbies make February one of the most challenging months of the season, but also one of the most rewarding if Arsenal come through with maximum points.

Chelsea’s unpredictability means this could be tight, but Arsenal’s depth — particularly with options like Trossard and Madueke off the bench — could prove decisive in the closing stages.

April 18, 2026: Manchester City (a)

The game that could define the season. The Etihad has often been Arsenal’s graveyard in the title race, but this is the fixture Arteta will have circled above all others.

If Arsenal arrive in April still in the hunt, this clash could effectively decide the Premier League. Victory at the Etihad would be seismic, a signal that the Gunners have truly conquered their biggest obstacle. Defeat, however, could undo months of progress.

How to get tickets

Buying tickets to attend the marquee Premier League games is a daunting task. Arsenal have a long waiting list for season tickets so buying tickets is becoming more and more difficult via the formal club channels.

However, the good news is fans can still get their hands on tickets through reputable reseller sites such as Seatsnet.com. While getting a ticket for the NLD’s is virtually impossible these days, fans will have more luck on these reseller marketplaces so check out current options at Seatsnet now.

Final thoughts

Arsenal’s 2025/26 fixture list is brutal in places but filled with opportunity. Success will depend not only on beating rivals but also on avoiding slip-ups against the mid-table sides that cost points last year.

With a strengthened squad, added firepower, and the lessons of the past three seasons, Arsenal are better equipped than ever to turn “nearly” into “finally.” The road back to the top is long, but circle these dates: they might just define whether the Gunners’ 20-year wait for the Premier League crown comes to an end.

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