Two of Arsenal's fans have brought their own mascots to the game. Starter Saka stands out for these supporters.

George Cummins
BBC Radio 5 live

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Mikel Arteta was in a very relaxed mood at Arsenal's training centre today.

The manager was quietly confident his side will get off to a better start than they did last year when they lost the first three league matches after a Covid outbreak.

"It is different. Everything that happened before that game at Brentford was strange and unique," he said.

"The preparation, the pre-season and now it’s a different context. We are really excited and will try and start the best possible way."

Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are two new signings that will put Arsenal in the mix again for the top four.

So what did Pep Guardiola say on the phone to Arteta when he signed them from Manchester City?

"It wasn’t exactly like that," Arteta said. "What I can tell you is that it works both ways. Pep said they are two phenomenal people that he is losing or giving away.

"I know them, I know how privileged we are to have them and I am really happy, that’s all I can say."

After lots of red cards last season, has the manager told his players he wants no reds?

"I told you last season that it's better not to talk about it," he joked at the end of his news conference. "The less we talk about it, the less it will happen!"

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, speaking to Sky Sports: "It is exciting to be back, we had a really good season last season and I am really excited to start the season again. Me and Jo (Andersen) have excelled together, developed."

On facing Gabriel Jesus: "It will be tough. Every player in the league is really good, we are relishing it."

Mikel Arteta has urged fans not to expect too much from Gabriel Jesus and says he will take time to adapt at Arsenal.

The Brazilian has looked sharp in pre-season, scoring seven goal in five matches since his £45m move from Manchester City.

When asked about people expecting Jesus to be the player that transforms the Gunners in front of goal, Arteta said: "When you bring top players from top clubs and they have been extremely successful over the years, they are going to expect that.

"The role that Gabby has here is going to be very different to the role in his previous club. That needs some adaptation and some time.

"He has done fantastically well and we are all surprised at how quickly he has done it, but we have to share that responsibility.

"He is an enormous talent, a player with a mentality that is so contagious and he is going to give us a lot. But it is a team contribution at the end of the day."

Arsenal have completed the signings of Jesus, Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Matt Turner and Marquinhos already this summer.

"We have changed the squad," Arteta added. "The players we have are more specific and better to the way we want to play obviously.

"We are really active as you can see with ins and outs. Everything is still open and it’s a long window. It’s incredible how much business the club has already done. It’s not going to stop."

Arsenal

Unsurprisingly, Arsenal fan Charlene Smith from AFTV , externalhad a different take on the Jesus v Zaha debate...

This isn't even a question.

Jesus will 100% score more goals than Zaha. Our new number nine is a clinical striker who has played consistently in the Champions League and has been coached by Guardiola. It's fair to say that he did not get the minutes he deserved at Manchester City, but he is now at a big club with a fanbase that love and support him.

At Arsenal it will be completely different than at City. He is our main man, he will get minutes and score goals. I reckon he will be in contention for the Golden Boot this season.

Zaha is a great player, Palace's talisman, and I mean no disrespect to him - he is a player that I like. But the project at Arsenal is going to bring the best out of our players and Zaha will not be hitting those heights.

Pre-season has been a little taster of what to expect from Arsenal. I am confident that Jesus will get more goals than Zaha this season, starting with the opening Premier League game on Friday!

Crystal Palace

We asked the above question to our fan contributors from both Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

Here is what Palace supporter Jay Crame from The Eagles Beak , externalhad to say...

Arsenal will still be regretting not spending the money to sign Wilfried Zaha a few seasons back. Instead, they opted for a repayment plan option - like they have so often done - and brought in Nicolas Pepe for a club record fee of £72m, when all instalments have been settled, unless he is sold before that happens.

Since then, Zaha v Pepe has been the comparison for Arsenal fans in a desperate bid to prove they made the right choice. Of course, the Ivorian has had a few successes, but it's nowhere near as many as the Gunners would have had if they had signed his compatriot, the proven Zaha.

Their hesitancy has been Palace's gain. Zaha heads into the new campaign off the back of a 14-goal Premier League season - his best yet and impressive for a player who does not always play as a central striker.

Step forward the next challenger: Gabriel Jesus. He certainly has pedigree, and is likely to be a much worthier competitor - but that does depend on Arsenal playing to his strengths.

The pressure is on the former Manchester City man as the main striker. Zaha has none of that so, of course, we will back Wilf.

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Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has praised the work done by Mikel Arteta over the summer as he prepares to take on his old club to open the new season on Friday.

"They are in a better place than last year," said Vieira. "The new players have made them much stronger.

"They have the squad to challenge and be closer to the title."

Vieira masterminded a 3-0 victory for Crystal Palace over the Gunners in April, a result that had severe repercussions for Arsenal's Champions League push, but has seen great improvement in pre-season.

"It will be a completely different game," he said. "They had a really good time during pre-season.

"We know it will be challenging but we have the tools to make it difficult for them."

Arsenal's interim manager before Arteta took charge - and one of his former Gunners team-mates - is watching and wondering what will happen this season.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Arsenal have had a great pre-season, while I'm not sure Crystal Palace are the same threat now Conor Gallagher has gone back to Chelsea.

It's still a tough game for Mikel Arteta's side, but everything is pointing towards a Gunners win.

ABB's prediction:1-1

Another tricky away fixture on a Friday night for Arsenal to kick off the season. Last year they crumbled at Brentford, but they are made of sterner stuff now - certainly helped by the additions of Premier League winners Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.

Find out how Sutton and Bruce-Ball think the rest of the weekend's action will go and vote on the result you expect here.

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A new season - and a new Premier League predictions expert.

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is taking on the challenge from Mark Lawrenson for the 2022-23 campaign and will try to pick the correct scores for every top-flight game against a variety of guests.

"Lawro has left some huge shoes to fill," said Sutton. "I'm pretty confident, but it's a tough task - and if I was that good at making predictions, I would be a millionaire by now."

For the opening weekend's fixtures, Sutton is up againstfootball commentator Ali Bruce-Ball,his co-host on the BBC Radio 5 Live Fantasy 606 podcast.

"I'm not really worried about Ali," Sutton said. "I've got bigger fish to fry."

Did you know you can follow your club's Premier League season in full detail on our club topic pages?

They contain the latest news, expert opinions, stats, and views from club fans. There's also plenty of opportunity for you to send your take on club matters.

Just click here and select your club - then bookmark the page.

If you are using the BBC Sport app, when you land on your club's page, hit the bell icon and you'll get club notifications.

Gilberto Silva, who won the Premier League in 2004 with Arsenal, is tipping his former side to win 2-1 via Gabriel Jesus goals.

Some further transfer news to bring you...

West Ham have signed Maxwell Cornet from Burnley. The 25-year-old forward or full-back has joined the Hammers on a five-year deal.

Read more about it here., external

Everything West Ham in one place – bookmark the page or if you’re using the app hit the bell icon for club notifications

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For the second summer running, Arsenal have done some serious business in the transfer market.

The 2021 summer window was about refreshing an aging squad with stellar young talent and, while not as extensive, this one has somewhat continued the theme.

Fabio Vieira is a very exciting, young attacking player, picked up from a Porto side prolific in the production of brilliant talent, while forward Marquinhos is a Brazil youth international, which tends to mean good things.

It is the pair of players they have picked up from Manchester City that have really lifted everyone's mood at the Emirates. Oleksandr Zinchenko brings quality and the versatility to play full-back or midfield and Gabriel Jesus has already shown in pre-season he intends to step up his Premier League scoring rate in attack.

I'm guessing most of you reading this with a fantasy football team have picked him.

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"Cheick's arrival is yet another statement of intent, demonstrating our ambition to further improve the squad this summer," said Palace chairman Steve Parish upon Doucoure's arrival.

He rocks up with a growing reputation, having impressed during his time in Lens' midfield in Ligue 1. He is seen as a player who does superb things under the radar, winning the ball back and protecting his defence to provide the platform for more attacking players to do their thing.

If he can be the rock in the middle, the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze could benefit further forward.

Patrick Vieira has continued to sculpt this Crystal Palace squad to his liking this summer, bringing in young, exciting footballers with plenty of potential.

They capitalised on a precarious situation at Derby to snap up teeange winger Malcolm Ebiowei and more recently completed the signing of USA international defender Chris Richards from Bayern Munich. Sam Johnstone has provided more depth in the goalkeeping positions, but it is arguably central midfielder Cheick Doucoure who has got fans most excited.

Meanwhile, there's one player who won't be starting for Palace again...

They have just confirmed that Belgium forward Christian Benteke has left the club to join Major League Soccer outfit DC United.

Crystal Palace fans will be excited to see new midfielder Cheick Doucoure make his debut for the club after arriving from Lens this summer.

Fellow new signing Malcolm Ebiowei is on the bench, while goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is also among the substitutes.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell, Doucoure, Eze, Schlupp, Ayew, Zaha, Edouard.

Image source, BBC Sport

Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko both make their debuts for Arsenal after arriving from Manchester City, while 21-year-old defender William Saliba - who spent last season on loan at Marseille - gets his first Gunners start.

Otherwise, it's a recognisable XI from last season, with Martin Odegaard captaining the side.

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.

Image source, BBC Sport