Arsenal were the team that played first in the 2026–27 Premier League opening round, appearing on Friday.
Arsenal hosted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on 21 August 2026, one day before the main Saturday schedule. The match was selected as the season opener because Arsenal were the defending champions and Coventry were a newly promoted club.
The Friday placement meant Arsenal were the first team to begin its league campaign and the first team able to score, win, and collect points in the new season. Their 3–0 victory gave them a positive start to the title defence.
This question is about the first scheduled match, not the club that finished highest after the full opening round. Brighton ended the round above Arsenal on goal difference after a 4–0 victory over Aston Villa, but Brighton played on Sunday.