We haven’t finished this one yet but already people are looking ahead to the new season.

With it looking like Arsenal could avoid a Champions League qualifier, the squad will be given an extra bit of time before they have to get back to competitive football, so when will it all be kicking off?

The Charity Shield, which will see the winners of Arsenal v Aston Villa take on Chelsea at Wembley in the traditional curtain raiser will be played on Sunday, 2nd August, a week earlier than it was this season. The league season will then kick-off just six days later on Saturday 8th August, again, a full week earlier than 14/15.

The FA Cup third round will be played on the weekend beginning Saturday, 9th January.

With no major international tournament featuring European teams this summer, Arsene Wenger will have the majority of his players available for the whole of pre-season. Alexis Sanchez, of course, will be with Chile for the Copa America and given that it doesn’t end until 4th July and, as host nation, they will be expecting to go far, he will miss out.