Arsene Wenger is handed the toughest of starts to the new season

Choker: Cheik Tiote equalises for Newcastle in last season's dramatic 4-4 draw with Arsenal. They have been paired together again on the opening day of the new season
11 April 2012

Arsenal face the toughest possible start to their title bid after being paired with resurgent Liverpool and ­champions Manchester United in the first two weeks of the new season.

The Premier League fixture list was released today and boss Arsene Wenger has been handed a nightmare scenario as he looks to win the club's first ­championship since 2004.

Tottenham also have a difficult task of their own as they will play both Manchester clubs in August after opening up against Everton at home but Wenger will be feeling the most pressure.

His side start the season on August 13 at Newcastle, where they memorably let a four-goal lead slip last term to draw 4-4. But it gets even harder after that as they play Liverpool, who have already shown their intent by signing Jordan Henderson for £20million this summer, at Emirates Stadium a week later before having to take on Sir Alex Ferguson's side at Old Trafford.

Wenger is under increasing strain to get Arsenal back to the summit and midfielder Jack Wilshere said the opening fixtures will test their credentials. He said: "It don't get much harder than that but you have to beat the best."

The capital's top clubs will get the chance to test United in the first five weeks for after they begin at West Brom, they have Spurs and Arsenal in successive weeks, with a match at home to Chelsea on September 17.

The Blues have yet to appoint a new manager but, with Guus Hiddink expected to be named boss shortly, he will have to get his players in shape fast as they play at Stoke on the opening day.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will also be under fire if they make a slow start after they failed to qualify for the Champions League last term, especially as the first north London derby against Arsenal soon follows their difficult opening games on October 1.

Elsewhere, newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers begin at home to Bolton and don't face any of the major Premier League teams until the visit of west London rivals Chelsea in October.

Fulham's new boss Martin Jol will get to face Aston Villa's controversial new managerial appointment Alex McLeish on the opening day but will have to wait until the final match for an emotional return to White Hart Lane.

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