Arsenal Schedule 2017-18: Premier League Fixtures Released

Arsenal will open their 2017-18 Premier League campaign at home to 2015-16 champions Leicester City as manager Arsene Wenger begins his quest anew to launch a run at the title.

The club's official Twitter account confirmed the upcoming campaign's schedule in full as this season's fixtures were announced on Wednesday:

The Gunners failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 20 years after finishing fifth last term, and Wenger may not see out his new two-year contract if he fails to do so for a second season in succession.

Arsenal have a wait on their hands for the first north London derby of the season as they encounter Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on November 18.

Defending champions Chelsea will host Arsenal for the first time on September 16, and the north Londoners end their campaign with a palatable clash against Huddersfield Town at Kirklees Stadium.

Leicester may have been Premier League champions themselves this time a year ago, but Arsenal welcomed the test and shared memories of Danny Welbeck's winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Foxes in February 2016:

Perhaps the most worrying calendar development for the Gunners is the timing of their fixtures after UEFA Europa League competition.

As luck would have it, the north Londoners are immediately on the road in domestic competition after most of their Europa commitments, including trips to Chelsea, Everton and Manchester City, per Eurosport's Tom Adams:

"

Arsenal playing away in the Prem after five of six Europa League games could be defining feature of their fixture list

— Tom Adams (@tomEurosport) June 14, 2017"

The 2017-18 season will present a new challenge to the Wenger in that regard, and some debate is sure to unfold in regards to how much of a priority Arsenal should place on a competition won by Manchester United last term.

Most of the focus on the Gunners will be paid to their Premier League participation in any case, and ESPN Stats and Info broke down the biggest fixtures on their slate after failing to challenge England's elite as hoped in 2016-17:

The mood at the Emirates has been low in recent months, largely due to indecision over where the future of the manager and some players laid, but a successful 2017-18 would put Wenger back in the good books.

Arsenal's only May fixtures in the league fall against Burnley and Huddersfield, but they'll need to ensure the best of their work is done before then if they're to have any hope of a first Premier League crown since 2004.

Visit the official Premier League website for a breakdown of Arsenal's 2017-18 fixtures. You can also visit the Premier League website to see this season's fixtures in full.