The month of August has arrived, pre-season schedules are finishing up and previews are coming in for the first round of fixtures - the Premier League is well and truly back.
It all begins on Friday night when Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace take on Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, once more getting the ball rolling on another top flight campaign - this the 31st since the competition's rebranding in 1992.
All eyes will be on the action under the floodlights of Selhurst Park, as what is set to be one of the strangest seasons to date - due to the mid-season break for the World Cup - gets underway in south London.
The Eagles will be hoping to build on a largely successful 12th place finish last year, which was achieved under the new management of Vieira, with a testing London derby a tasty prospect for the home fans.
Meanwhile, the Gunners had a gut-wrenching end to 2021/22, ending up in fifth place after being in the top four for some time, though after strengthening their squad they too will feel optimistic about the upcoming season.
Team News
Crystal Palace
In his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, Vieira said that three players would not be available for this opening match due to varying injury concerns, though Palace do have enough cover and depth.
He said "Macca [James McArthur] will not be a part of the squad tomorrow. Tonks [James Tomkins] has an issue with calf so won't get involved tomorrow. Michael [Olise] is a couple of weeks away."
Missing a key winger in Michael Olise, who would likely have otherwise started this one, will be a blow to the head coach, but with new signing Malcolm Ebiowei amongst the ranks, it seems there is a ready-made replacement to slot in.
Arsenal
Arteta also spoke to the media, though remained coy about the exact nature of his squad's fitness, amid rumours that up to four players - Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Fabio Vieira - could be sidelined for this game.
"Three out of the four of those players are going to be training this afternoon [Thursday] and if everything goes well, they will be available for selection and in the squad," the Arsenal manager revealed.
The 40-year-old commented further on the quartet's injury struggles, saying: "Hopefully, we can start to recover because they've been missing a lot of minutes and time in pre-season and they are really important players for us."
Likely Lineups
Crystal Palace
Guaita; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Doucoure, Milivojevic; Ebiowei, Eze, Zaha; Mateta
Arsenal
Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus
Key Players
Crystal Palace - Wilfried Zaha
Anyone who has watched Crystal Palace over the last few years will almost instantly pick out Wilfried Zaha as the key man whenever asked about who is the most valuable player amongst the Eagles' side.
The winger may have been linked with almost every club under the sun during his time in south London, but it has rarely affected his output on the pitch, not least last season when he managed a career high 14 goals in the Premier League.
One of those even came in a 3-0 demolition of the Gunners back in April of this year, meaning he has history with the upcoming opponents, plus like everyone on the pitch, he will want to impress in this opening match of the season.
Arsenal - Gabriel Jesus
It is also an attacking player to look out for from the visitors, though someone with far less time at his club, with new arrival Gabriel Jesus being a very exciting prospect for Arsenal fans to look out for not only in this game but this season.
The Brazilian has already got off to a flying start in pre-season, scoring an astonishing seven goals in five appearances, including a stunning hat trick against Sevilla in the Gunners' final preparation match at the Emirates Stadium.
Of course, it is never certain that pre-season form translates into competitive action, but with the forward clearly excited to be playing week in, week out, unlike at Manchester City, few would bet against him opening his top flight account for Arsenal in this one.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
This opening game of the 2022/23 season is being played at Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace in south London, with a notoriously loud atmosphere.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off for this one is scheduled to be at 8:00 PM BST on Friday August 5.
How can I watch?
For those viewers in the UK wanting to watch this game, it can be seen live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning from 6:30 PM BST as the build-up to the new season ramps up.