Arsenal was the defending champion at the start of the 2026–27 Premier League.
Arsenal won the previous Premier League title before beginning the 2026–27 campaign. The championship was their first Premier League title in 22 years, ending Manchester City’s recent dominance of the competition.
The champions opened the new season at home to Coventry City on Friday, 21 August 2026. Arsenal won 3–0, so the reigning champions immediately collected three points and kept a clean sheet in the opening match.
The phrase defending champion refers to the club that won the preceding league season, not necessarily the team that won the most recent match or cup competition. Arsenal’s opening-weekend status was therefore based on its 2025–26 league triumph. Coventry, by contrast, were newly promoted from the Championship and were appearing in the Premier League for the first time in 25 years.