Arsenal kick off the defence of their title against Everton, Sky Sports said Thursday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side will hope to erase all memories of their last visit to Stamford Bridge where they lost 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last season through a Frank Lampard penalty.

Chelsea, then coached by Claudio Ranieri, eventually finished ahead of United in the Premiership and Ferguson will be eager to give Mourinho a baptism of fire.

Mourinho, who replaced Ranieri, got the better of Ferguson when his former side Porto knocked United out of the UEFA Champions League last season, winning in Portugal and drawing at Old Trafford.

There is no love lost between Mourinho and Ferguson, who were engaged in a bitter public spat after United's exit.

United fans will vividly remember the Portuguese coach dancing on the sidelines after his team scored a last minute goal at Old Trafford to seal the fate of Ferguson's side.

Mourinho will also be disappointed that his new side will be forced to finish the season with a tough looking fixture -- away to Sir Bobby Robson's Newcastle.

The Portuguese coach learnt his management skills under Robson as his assistant at Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Barcelona.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will meanwhile be fearful that his team's unbeaten streak in the Premiership could come to a sticky end at Goodison Park on August 14.

The match will be high-profile encounter if England hero Wayne Rooney is still playing for Everton.

It is a repeat of the fixture in October 2002, when Rooney became the youngest player to score in the Premiership.

If the Gunners can overcome the Toffees then the defending champions will have to wait until the October 23 visit to Old Trafford before they meet any of their likely title contenders.

Arsenal visit Tottenham and Liverpool in November before Chelsea visit Highbury on December 11.

Manchester United have home fixtures against Norwich and Everton to follow the trip to Chelsea.

The Gunners wind up their season on May 14 with a trip to Birmingham.

United finish the season at Southampton.

Newly-promoted Norwich celebrate their return to the top flight with a home clash against fellow new boys Crystal Palace, before testing consecutive fixtures against Manchester United, Newcastle and Arsenal.

West Brom, who finished runners-up to the Canaries in Division One last season, open at Blackburn -- the 5-1 conquerors of newly-promoted Wolves in the opening fixture last term.

Tottenham manager Jacques Santini will have the chance to make an early impression with Spurs fans in an eagerly anticipated opening day home clash with Liverpool, who will be led by their own new boss Rafael Benitez.

Santini then faces a trip to Newcastle and then West Brom before playing Birmingham at home.

After his trip to Spurs, Benitez will take charge of his first game at Anfield against Manchester City, before another home clash with Portsmouth.

Newcastle visit Middlesbrough for a Tyne-Tees derby on the opening day.

Aston Villa will open the new campaign against Southampton, while their Midland rivals Birmingham travel to Portsmouth.

Bolton host Charlton and Manchester City welcome Fulham.