Six things to ponder as new Premier League campaign is set to begin on Friday

Will Arsenal go back to back.

Key points

• The Gunners, who won a first league title in 22 years, are well primed to retain the title, something they have not done in over 90 years.
• For the first time in a decade, Pep Guardiola won't be the dugout.
• Whisper it quietly but one of English football's great clubs has quietly had a particularly good pre-season.
• As plenty of as nine clubs changed their manager in the off-season, something unprecedented.
• If the last few campaigns witnessed forwards going for astronomical sums, this seems to be the year of the midfielder.

For context, the Gunners, who won a first league title in 22 years, are well primed to retain the title, something they have not done in over 90 years. They have signed Bruno Guimaraes and are regarding to finalise the purchase of Ezri Konsa. More importantly, it's a well settled unit with clear role clarity. Even though William Saliba is due to be out for a long time, a fresh Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka could do some serious damage.

For the first time in a decade, Pep Guardiola won't be the dugout. After a trophy laden 10 years, he resigned. Enzo Maresca is in the hot seat and how will City fair? After legends is one of the hardest things to do from a coaching perspective so there could well be a season of relative pain. There's additionally the legal problem hanging over the club. And with no Rodri, John Stones or Bernardo Silva, can Erling Haaland shoulder all the burden?

As plenty of as nine clubs changed their manager in the off-season, something unprecedented. And this change is even visible at the particularly top level as Chelsea (Xabi Alonso) and Liverpool (Andoni Iraola) have new coaches. In fact, it's the first time in over 40 seasons of top flight football in England that there will be no Sir Alex Ferguson, Jurgen Klopp, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho or Guardiola, five men responsible for some of the greatest teams.

If the last few campaigns witnessed forwards going for astronomical sums, this seems to be the year of the midfielder. The above mentioned Guimaraes, Andrey Santos, Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson have all gone for major capital. They could yet be followed by moves for Ayyoub Bouaddi and Enzo Fernandez, two players who will surely command fees in excess of 100 million if they were to move clubs in this window.

Whisper it quietly but one of English football's great clubs has quietly had a particularly good pre-season. Michael Carrick, who equipped himself well, has greenlit the signings of Youri Tielemans and Santos. With Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo an imposing forward line along with Bruno Fernandes, they can go on a good run and that may include taking part in a title challenge after a particularly long time.

Last season, the Premier League saw a lot of goals from corners as defenders and attackers crowded the six-yard box before deliveries were sent into what was called the 'meat wall'. To prevent a repeat of last season, the referees may watch out for similar tactics and could be more whistle happy this time around.

First week fixtures (Saturday unless specified): Arsenal vs Coventry (12.30 AM), Hull vs Man United (5.00 PM), Ipswich Town vs Sunderland 7.30 PM, Everton vs Crystal Palace 7.30 PM, Nottingham Forest vs Leeds 7.30 PM, Brentford vs Spurs 10.00 PM, Man City vs Bournemouth 6.30 PM on Sunday, Brighton vs Aston Villa 6.30 PM on Sunday, Newcastle vs Aston Villa 9.00 PM on Sunday, Fulham vs Chelsea 12.30 AM on Tuesday. Live on Star Sports Networks and JioStar. Top five transfer fees (so far; fees in pounds). Anderson Nottingham Forest to Man City 116mn. Fernandes West Ham to Spurs 85mn.

Taken together, the developments around six things to ponder as new Premier League campaign is set to point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.