Arsenal curtain-raiser is one Lampard and fans 'will be relishing'

[Getty Images] Nothing says "welcome back to the Premier League", after 25 years away, than successive away games at reigning champions Arsenal and last season's runners-up Manchester City , does it?! The campaign's curtain-raiser, at Emirates Stadium on Friday, 21 August is a mouthwatering, if daunting, prospect, clearly. But it's one that Frank Lampard and his coaching staff, as well as the Sky Blue Army, will be relishing, together with hopefully a squad capable of at least competing, if not thriving, on the club's long-awaited return to the top flight. The first home game, against play-off winners Hull City , looks a bit more inviting, although fans will remember - not too fondly, perhaps - 0-0 draws in both Championship fixtures last season. Supporters rubbing their hands at the prospect of Aston Villa's first ever visit to the CBS Arena will have to wait until December, with the return at Villa Park the last game of April - bringing back the inevitably painful memories of what happened there in May 2001. Other standout fixtures include Lampard's former club Chelsea being scheduled for a tasty Boxing Day trip to the Arena and 2027 beginning with a trip to Anfield. Meanwhile, the couple of new grounds for supporters to tick off are Tottenham in mid-October, followed by Everton in early November. The run-in sees Manchester United at home, Newcastle away, Spurs at home, before the last two of Fulham at Craven Cottage - where City completed the double over them the last time the west Londoners were in the Championship - and finally Nottingham Forest make the short journey across on Sunday May 30. Fingers crossed it'll be a memorable first season back for all the right reasons, and BBC CWR is once again proud to be able to bring fans commentary on every twist and turn, via FM, DAB Digital Radio and Freeview... so Play Up Sky Blues! Hit play below to hear my BBC CWR colleague Will Oeldrich reacting to the fixtures, or listen on BBC Sounds here Check out Coventry's league fixtures in full here