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There's only a less than a week left for the new season to begin and the excitement couldn't be any higher. The prospect of a brand new Premier League season has left fans itching to see what their clubs have to offer this time around. The dazzling World Cup offered some solace during the usually football-less summer but even that ended, leaving us to some mindless TV-channel switching for the rest of the month.
With so much to look forward to in the new campaign - new players, new signings, new stadiums, new mind-sets... there is a lot to be excited about. Let's break them down:
1. A new Arsenal era under Emery and the return of fans to the stadium
It's the dawn of a new era in North London and Unai Emery has already brought in changes at Arsenal, bringing in five reinforcements to address problem areas in the squad, ahead of his debut season in England.
Emery has worked with the majority of the squad during the pre-season and he has been very open about his vision for Arsenal football. Emery will, of course, be looking for the chance to make a statement following the team's abysmal sixth-placed finish last season.
This is why their Premier League opening game against defending champions Manchester City will serve as the ultimate test for Emery.
The Emirates saw an all time-low dip in attendance last season following years of discontent over a lack of fighting spirit or any progress under Arsene Wenger in more than a decade. The 'Wenger Out' placards have been around for a long while - in the sky, in the stadium, even weddings- until the manager finally decided to step down towards the end of the 2017-18 season, having had the worst season during his 22 years at Arsenal.
Having finally gotten what they believe is long overdue, a new manager, the Arsenal fans are hoping to start anew, with a fresh set of beliefs and hopes and a new found sense of unity.
2. Mo Salah's second season at Liverpool
Mo Salah has had an outstanding debut campaign at Merseyside, with him winning the Golden Boot for his relentless goalscoring efforts that resulted in him netting 32 goals in the league.
Having won the PFA Player of the Year, Salah likely going to continue his remarkable goal-scoring career with Liverpool. Salah proved this by scoring with only his second touch in the pre-season friendly against Manchester City. This game left Pep Guardiola without a win over Liverpool in four attempts.
Despite ending his debut season in heartbreak at the Champions League, with a serious injury inflicted by Sergio Ramos, as well as a World Cup exit this summer, Salah is undoubtedly the star all Liverpool fans are looking forward to see again.
Can he cross the 30-goal line again? Only time will tell.
3. The Wolves' meteoric rise to the Premier League
Fans of the Wolverhampton Wanderers are buzzing as they stand in line for Premier League season tickets at the Molineux after the Wolves' impressive victory (securing 99 points) at the Championship.
The newly-promoted club's preparations are in full force with manager Nuno Espirito Santo bringing in the player after player (Portugal’s Euro 2016 winners, goalkeeper Rui Patricio and midfielder Joao Moutinho). The team are even set to smash their own transfer record when they will complete the transfer of Adama Traore off Middlesbrough for a record £18 million.
The team's opening game against Everton will be a highly anticipated one to see if the Wolves continue their attacking exploits to compete in the Premier League.
With outstanding play and one of the most exciting attacking football the Championship has ever seen, the Midlands side looks strong enough to be considered strong contenders in the top flight. The team is more likely looking at a top ten finish rather than mere survival.
4. Burnley's big European venture
Having finished the previous season by securing the highest ever position in the club's history (7th) since 1974, Burnley is currently facing European rivals in the Europa League.
Club manager Sean Dyche was lauded for his leadership, keeping Burnley defensive-minded, and ultimately leading the team to, arguably, its most successful season ever.
Burnley has got plenty of competition at home alone which means Dyche would have to prepare his side to battle on all fronts by making a few good deals before the end of the transfer window.
It looks like the team is keen on testing themselves across the continent and whether or not the team succeeds, it will be incredible to see.
5. The battle of the 'sixes'
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is entering the new season as champions and will undoubtedy want to remain consistent while also improving as Europe will become an even greater priority for the Manchester side this coming season.
Arsenal and Chelsea have new managers (read: new team, new tactics) to look forward to. Liverpool came off of the previous season stronger despite their loss at the Champions League final. With Mo Salah back from injury and ready to get on the goal-scoring wagon, the Merseyside team will make sure they get even better in the domestic league as well as the European league.
Manchester United looks set to make the best use of the transfer window which closes on August 9. Manager Jose Mourinho has made his desire to make additions to the squad very clear. The decision seems plausible given that United will try to bridge the gap that lies between them and their Manchester rivals.
The Spurs, on the other hand, have made huge strides under manager Mauricio Pochettino, with a brand new £850million stadium also awaiting them. They finished third, second and third in the last three seasons in the Premier League and will look to take some silverware home in the upcoming season.
