Mikel Arteta has set an emphatic tone for the new campaign, vowing to make Arsenal "the best club in the world" as his side prepare to open their Premier League title defence on Friday against newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners finally ended a 22-year wait for top-flight glory in 2025-26, pipping Manchester City to the crown after three consecutive runner-up finishes. Arsenal also reached the Champions League final but fell just short, losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

'We want the best players in the world'

Rather than resting on that long-awaited title, Arteta insists the club's ambition stretches far beyond domestic dominance, with the Spanish coach laying out a vision that encompasses every corner of the institution.

"It's certainly the ambition of the club and the owners to be the best club in the world," Arteta said. "In order to do that, you need the best facilities, the best stadium, the best supporters, and you need the best squad and the best players in the world.

"Those are the ones that win you football matches and the ones that can be decisive when it matters. That's what we try to build with the actual players that we have, and with the players that we want to sign to make the difference for Arsenal."

Summer business underscores intent

Arsenal have wasted little time strengthening their squad for the title defence, with midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and winger Christos Tzolis the standout pieces of business so far. The club have also reportedly agreed a £51m deal to sign Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, and Arteta made clear that elite acquisitions will remain a theme.

The arrivals have injected fresh energy into north London, not least Tzolis, who has been one of the standout performers of pre-season following his move from Club Brugge. The Greek international stole the show in the Community Shield, becoming only the second Arsenal player to provide two or more assists on his debut for the club since Willian against Fulham in September 2020. Since the start of March, Tzolis has either scored or assisted in all 15 of his competitive club appearances, racking up 10 goals and 15 assists.

Coventry's 'big moment' back in the Premier League

Friday's fixture also marks a landmark occasion for Coventry, who return to the Premier League for the first time since 2000-01 — a gap of 25 years and 94 days, the longest between top-flight games for any side in the competition's history. In the intervening period, the Sky Blues dropped as low as League Two before climbing back at the first attempt last season, winning the Championship in style.

Coventry have been busy in the transfer market this summer, spending close to £100m on eight new players, including the midweek announcement of Sidiki Cherif from Fenerbahce. Owner Doug King believes the recruitment drive proves the club's project is attractive and has backed Frank Lampard's squad to make their return count.

"They're quality players that we wanted to join the football club, and I think that's important," King said. "We are targeting players that we choose, and who we were able to sell the project to. It shows we're in a decent position when our targets want to join us.

"I'm really excited that we've added to a squad that I felt won the Championship in style last year. There's a lot of change going on, but we've kept the core of the players who got us promoted. We've added new players, and I think they're bedded in well.

"Frank [Lampard] is focused. It's a big moment for us all. We'll do our best to execute it the best we can."

Players to watch

All eyes will be on Tzolis as he makes his official league bow for the champions, while Coventry will lean heavily on Haji Wright. Only Zan Vipotnik (23) and Oliver McBurnie (18) scored more Championship goals last season than Wright's 17, and the American striker arrives well rested after being restricted to two substitute appearances at this summer's World Cup.

Prediction: Arsenal heavy favourites

The history books make uncomfortable reading for Coventry. Arsenal have won their opening match in each of the last four Premier League seasons and have never lost their first game of a campaign as reigning champions in the competition, winning all three MD1 fixtures as title holders. This is only the second time the two clubs have met on the opening day of a league season, after Coventry's famous 3-0 win at Highbury in 1993-94 — and the Sky Blues have lost their last seven away league games against the reigning top-flight champions.

Coventry will also be playing their first league match at the Emirates Stadium, having lost there in the League Cup (1-6 in 2012) and FA Cup (0-4 in 2014); only two teams have ever won their first league visit to the ground — West Ham in April 2007 and Hull City in September 2008.

Opta's win probability reflects the gulf in class between the sides, handing Arsenal a 79.9% chance of victory, with the draw at 13.1% and a Coventry upset rated at just 7%.