The Premier League fixtures are out and Arsenal know their route of ending their 22-year wait of becoming champions of England after missing out on the title in the previous three years.
After falling short to Manchester City in 2023 and 2024, it was Liverpool who came out on top last term under Arne Slot. For the first time, the Gunners come into a new season with pressure to win.
On Wednesday morning, the 2025/26 fixtures were released and they have not been kind for Arsenal. They face Manchester United, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Newcastle United in their first six games.
It's an incredibly tough start for the Gunners as they take on two early favourites for the title race by the end of September.
However, the fixture list has produced a very bizarre boost for Arsenal. This season, the African Cup of Nations takes place from December 21 to January 18 meaning the Premier League's African stars will miss the festive period.
Players who reach the final are expected to miss six fixtures whereas any player called-up will definitely miss three games. The final group game takes place on December 31 with the knockout stages starting on January 3.
Fortunately for Arsenal, Ghana will not be participating after failing to qualify, meaning they won't be without Thomas Partey, should the midfielder sign a new contract at the club. However, there is the potential of the tournament handing the Gunners a huge boost.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is expected to be part of Egypt's squad that travels to Morocco in December, with bookmakers making the Pharaohs one of the early favourites to lift their eighth title.
Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with the fans after celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title win
Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with the fans after celebrating Liverpool's Premier League title win (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Should Egypt progress out of their group containing South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe, they will play their round of 16 clash on January 5 or January 4 - dependent if they finish first or second. Egypt would then play on either January 10 or January 9 in the quarter-final.
Progress to the knockout stages would rule Salah out of Liverpool's Premier League trip to Arsenal on Monday, January 7. The forward, who scored 34 and provided 23 assists last season, could also miss the trip to Tottenham on December 20.
His absence would give Arsenal a huge advantage over their title rivals when they meet at the Emirates Stadium in the New Year. Three points against Slot's men could be significant in the Premier League title coming to north London.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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