Premier League 2020/21 season to start on September 12

The 2020-21 Premier League season will begin on September 12 and conclude on May 23, the English top-flight announced on Friday.

Most clubs will have a seven-week break between the end of the 2019/20 season this weekend and the start of the new campaign.

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However, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Wolves could have just three weeks off if they were to progress to the finals of the Champions League or Europa League in August.

The Champions League final will take place in Lisbon on August 23 with the Europa League final two days earlier in Cologne.

“Premier League Shareholders today agreed to start the 2020/21 Premier League season on 12 September 2020,” the league said in a statement. “The final match round of the campaign will take place on 23 May 2021.”

The English Football League confirmed the Championship, League One and League Two will also start the same weekend.

The Premier League said it “will continue to consult The FA and EFL regarding the scheduling of all domestic competitions” amid difficulties with packing the League and FA Cup in their current formats into a congested calendar.

A September start means the season will almost certainly begin behind closed doors, with spectators only set to return to venues in England on a socially-distanced basis from October 1. (AFP)

Arsenal Latest Team News ahead of Watford (h)

The latest information on our current injuries and suspensions ahead of Sunday’s match.

Bernd Leno

Right knee. Sustained moderate ligament sprain during Brighton & Hove Albion (a) on June 20.

Now participating in outside running and ball drills.

Aiming to be back in full training next week.

Shkodran Mustafi

Right hamstring sustained during FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Will miss remaining matches of this season. Further details on recovery programme will be confirmed in the coming days.

A status update on the following players with longer term injuries:

Calum Chambers

Left knee. Ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee during Chelsea (h) on December 29.

Latest update on Calum:

Progressed to the next stage of his recovery and is now running and integrating outside with light ball work.

Will continue to work hard throughout the new close season period with the aim of being back to full training as soon as possible this calendar year.

Pablo Mari

Left ankle. Sustained significant sprain to ankle ligaments during Manchester City (a) on June 17.

Latest update on Pablo:

Now off crutches after surgery and moving freely without aid.

Has returned home to Spain for a short period, where he continues to receive specialist attention and extensive therapy.

Will return to the UK later in July to resume his rehabilitation at our training centre throughout the new close season, with the aim of returning to full training in September.

 

Gabriel Martinelli

Left knee. Sustained injury during training on June 21. Successful arthroscopic procedure undertaken to repair a lesion in the cartilage of the left knee.

Latest update on Gabi:

Currently recovering in a knee brace after his operation, which took place during the last week of June.

Surgery was successful, with consultants and the Arsenal Medical team very encouraged with Gabi’s current progress at this stage of his recovery.

Currently at our training centre every day receiving specialist attention and support from our medical team.

Will continue his recovery throughout the new close season period, with the aim of a return to full training by the end of the calendar year.

 

As part of Premier League protocol, all members of our first team squad and support staff continue to be regularly tested for COVID-19.

Source: Arsenal.com