LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Champions Arsenal kick off the Premier League season on Friday reinforced by astute signings as boss Mikel Arteta welcomes the pressure of being “hunted” by their title rivals.

Just 34 days after a captivating World Cup came to an end, the Premier League returns, with Arsenal facing newly promoted Coventry at the start of their bid for a second successive title.

The Gunners have the honour of playing the opening game of the season at the Emirates Stadium, before a packed slate of top-flight matches across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Mohamed Salah and Pep Guardiola — two of the most iconic figures in Premier League history — have left Liverpool and Manchester City respectively.

But the Premier League remains packed with world-class talent and emerging stars.

Arsenal are the cream of the crop after winning the title for the first time in 22 years last season.

Installed as the bookmakers’ title favourites this term, Arsenal look well placed to reign supreme again, especially given the questions surrounding their title challengers.

They routed City 3-0 in the Community Shield last weekend to send a statement of intent to the chasing pack.

Bolstered by new signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, with Ezri Konsa set to join from Aston Villa, Arteta has no doubts Arsenal can cope with the pressure of being the team everyone wants to beat.

“We start from scratch, from zero, and we’re going to have to prove we are at the level to go back to that position again,” the Spaniard said.

“We need to show that desire, and the ambition to be better than what we were last season, a month ago, a week ago.

“If you give me the choice, I want to be first, I want to be hunted, and I want to be in control of our future, rather than depending on somebody else.”

Winning the Premier League was a cathartic moment for the north London club after so many near-misses raised doubts about their character.

– ‘A long marathon’ –

Arteta believes surviving that test of resolve will stand Arsenal in good stead as they bid to win back-to-back titles for the first time since the 1930s.

“We need to breathe because it’s going to be a long marathon,” he said.

“We have the ability to improve, to evolve, and that’s what I sense and I feel around the club, especially around the players.”

City, runners-up last season, start life without Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on Sunday.

Guardiola stepped down at the end of last season after winning 20 trophies in a glorious decade at the Etihad Stadium.

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has accepted the daunting task of emulating the Spaniard’s success.

Liverpool’s new manager Andoni Iraola will take charge of his first game in Sunday’s trip to Newcastle, starting a new era without Egypt forward Salah after his move to Turkish club Trabzonspor.

Ex-Bournemouth boss Iraola was hired by Liverpool to replace Arne Slot, who was sacked following the Reds’ disappointing fifth-place finish last season.

Xabi Alonso begins his reign as Chelsea boss with a west London derby at Fulham on Monday.

Alonso, sacked by Real Madrid after less than eight months in charge last term, and Chelsea’s underachieving but expensively-assembled team, who finished a dismal 10th last term, have a point to prove this season.

“We feel ready. The desire, the ambition, the hunger to start the Premier League is already in the building, looking forward to it,” Alonso said.

Manchester United start on Saturday at promoted Hull, who are back in the top tier for the first time since 2017.

United boss Michael Carrick has signed Belgium World Cup midfielder Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow, with a deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in the pipeline.

Big-spending Tottenham, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, travel to Brentford on Saturday with two players signed for around 100 million pounds ($136.5 million) each — Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes — now in their ranks.

Europa League winners Villa, ravaged by a host of departures since last season, head to Brighton on Sunday.