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Petr Cech
Petr Cech will make his first competitive start for Arsenal when they face West Ham United on Sunday Getty

Arsenal host West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (9 August) for their opening encounter of the 2015/16 campaign.

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 1.30pm BST. Live TV coverage of the game is available on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD. Updates of the game will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live. Highlights of the game will be available on BBC Match of the Day 2 from 10.30pm BST on BBC One.

Overview

Arsenal come into this game on the back of a sizzling pre-season, which saw them win three trophies and currently remain unbeaten. They also beat Chelsea to claim back-to-back Community Shield trophies, thus registering Arsene Wenger's first win over Jose Mourinho.

The French manager is keen for his side to start the season strongly, as they look to mount a serious title challenge. The north London club are the only club in the Premier League to have made just one acquisition to the senior team, but that has not deterred the manager from claiming that he has a side capable of challenging for the title.

Wenger will be without three first-team players for the game against the Hammers, with Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere sidelined with injuries, while Alexis Sanchez has only just returned to full training which rules him out of the game.

Slaven Bilic
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic will hope to get one over his former mentor when they take on Arsenal on Sunday Getty

Meanwhile, West Ham United come into this game on the back of a loss in the Europa League, that saw them being knocked out of the competition after Slaven Bilic fielded a weakened side due to the close proximity of the Premier League season.

The Hammers have a new manager from last season, and have made some astute purchases in the market. The most eye-catching being the arrival of Frenchman Dimitri Payet, who is highly rated in his homeland.

Bilic's men have a tough task at hand when they face the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal have only lost once on the opening day since the start of the Premier League, and that was at the hands of Aston Villa at the start of the 2013/14 campaign.

What Managers Say

Arsene Wenger: "Preparation breeds confidence so we can go into the season in a good shape. Now it's about points, about performance, about efficiency, about togetherness and about heart."

Slaven Bilic: Arsenal are not just role models for us, they are an example for all clubs to copy because of their history and the way they do things. Some people try to look at these games as a bonus, where they have nothing to lose, and maybe we are not the favourites – but it is a great opportunity for us to show we are good enough, and it wouldn't be the first time."

Betting Odds

  • Arsenal Win: 4/13
  • Draw: 79/17
  • West Ham Win: 21/2

Team News

Arsenal

Possible XI: Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey; Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.

West Ham

Possible XI: Adrian; O'Brien, Ogbonna, Reid, Cresswell; Kouyate, Nobel, Obiang; Payet; Zarate, Sakho.

Premier League Arsenal FC Arsene Wenger