The Premier League fixture list was released today, and all 20 clubs discovered when they would play crucial games. Arsenal's fixtures list threw up some surprises, the Gunners are home on both the first and last days of the season.
The question on everyone's lips though, is when do Arsenal face the big teams and did Arsenal get lucky with the fixture list?
Arsenal's first big test comes against Liverpool on August 22nd, the third game of the season. This is Arsenal's only game against a "big" side in their first five games. Manchester United on the other hand face both Spurs and Liverpool, while Chelsea and Manchester City both face each other and Everton in their first five games. This means that Arsenal's first five games look easier than their title rivals', but tricky trips to Newcastle and Crystal Palace also beckon early on for Arsenal.
Arsenal face early trip to the Champions
Arsenal's first big away test is a game away at Chelsea in September. This game seems to be the hardest game in Arsenal's September, as the Chelsea game is sandwiched with games against Stoke and Leicester.
In October, Arsenal face Manchester United, as well as a tricky trip to Swansea and a home game against Everton. This means that Arsenal face three of last year's top six in their first 10 games of the season, comparatively Chelsea face two of the top six in their first 10 games, Manchester City face three and Manchester United face four.
Two of these games being at home for Arsenal is good, but it can still be seen as a tough run in compared to Chelsea. Liverpool play all of the top six away in their first seven away games, something that makes Arsenal's run look relatively easy!
A trip to Swansea and a game against Spurs could make it an Unhappy Halloween for Arsenal
A week after the trip to Swansea, Arsenal play Spurs at home in the first North London derby of the season. Having these two tough games in a row is the first of many clusters of hard fixtures that Arsenal have in the season.
Despite this, Arsenal's difficult games against the top four are a lot more spread out. The difficult fixtures that follow each other are usually against Europa League sides, or Arsenal's "bogey" teams such as Stoke and Swansea.
Arsenal could struggle over the Christmas and New Year period
After the Spurs game, Arsenal face a string of matches against low or mid table sides, until the gruelling Christmas fixtures begin. Arsenal face four games in 13 days, two of which are against fellow teams playing European football. Arsenal face Manchester City, then travel to Southampton on Boxing Day. Two days later Arsenal face newly promoted Bournemouth at home, and then Newcastle at home.
Arsenal start 2016 with a string of tough games, including away at Stoke, away at Liverpool and home against Southampton and Chelsea. The home game against Chelsea is Arsenal's last home game against a "big six" side, in the second half of the season Arsenal must travel to the Eithad, Old Trafford, Anfield and White Hart Lane.
This is partly unlucky for Arsenal, who probably would have much preferred a mixture of home and away games against the "big six" sides throughout the season, not a half and half split of home and away games.
Swansea visit sandwiched by White Hart Lane and Old Trafford seems to be Arsenal's hardest week
Arsenal's February and March is also difficult, with Arsenal finishing February at Old Trafford, and then facing games against Swansea and Spurs in the next week. These ties, coupled with potential FA Cup and Champions League ties could make these two months very difficult for Arsenal. This tough run has benefits, as Arsenal get towards their last two games of the season against clubs who won't be troubling the European places.
Manchester City trip could be the most important game of the whole of 2015-16
Arsenal, like last season, will have their last away game of the season in Manchester, this time against Manchester City. Hopefully, Arsenal can have Champions League qualification, and potentially a title in the bag.
This game though, could be very important in the season of both sides and other title rivals as it may potentially decide the destiny of the title. Many other title rivals don't have tough games like this so close to the end of the season, so it could hinder Arsenal. Fans will just be hoping that Arsenal can get the job done before they visit the Etihad.
Arsenal end the season at home against Aston Villa. A home game at the end of the season could be important, especially if a lot is riding on that game. Chelsea and Manchester United also finish the season at home, but Manchester City don't have that luxury, something that could turn out to be crucial.
Overall, it's difficult to tell now whether the placing of the fixtures will help or hinder Arsenal. The difficult away games in the second half of the season could have an affect, but the fixtures must be played at some point, so really no-one should really worry about it.