As football fans across the country woke up buzzing with excitement over the release of the 2025-26 Premier League fixture list, some Arsenal supporters were less than thrilled.
In fact, many of them took to social media claiming that their club was once again on the receiving end of an unfair setup—some even going as far as calling it a “conspiracy.”
Three Years of Near Misses Fuel Frustration
After finishing second for three seasons in a row—twice behind Manchester City and most recently behind Liverpool—Arsenal fans were eager to see how their team could finally break their 22-year title drought.
But their hopes were dampened when they saw the Gunners’ schedule.
The season kicks off with a tough away game at Old Trafford against Manchester United, who themselves are desperate to bounce back after finishing 15th last season.
Then it’s a home game against newly promoted Leeds United, followed by a daunting visit to Anfield to take on champions Liverpool.
Arsenal then host Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the Emirates before traveling north to face Newcastle.
That’s four of last season’s top seven clubs in just the first six matches.
Fixture List Sparks Conspiracy Theories
Stat analytics firm Opta has ranked Arsenal’s opening five matches as the second-toughest in the league—only Manchester United face a more brutal start.
And that’s exactly what lit a fire under some fans, who were quick to accuse the Premier League of stacking the odds against their club.
“Premier League hate Arsenal,” one fan wrote.
“They do everything—everything—they can.”
Others went further, suggesting the challenging run was “punishment” for Arsenal’s complaints about refereeing decisions last season.
Some even claimed this was the league’s way of exacting revenge for Mikel Arteta calling out officiating inconsistencies, saying the rules changed halfway through the campaign.
Fans Lose Hope and Trust in the System
One particularly disheartened supporter tweeted, “With that start to the season, who thinks the FA or Premier League are punishing Arsenal for exposing the PGMOL?”
Another added, “I’ve lost all excitement.
They’ll just make up a new rule and apply it only to us. Why bother watching?”
Some fans also couldn’t resist jabbing their rivals.
One joked, “Nice of the Premier League to let Thomas Frank pick his own fixtures,” pointing to the Brentford manager’s easier start.
Premier League Responds: It’s All Down to the Algorithm
Despite all the outcry, the Premier League insists there’s no human bias at play.
According to their official guide, the fixtures are created by a specially designed computer program.
The system tries to balance home and away matches, avoid giving teams back-to-back away or home games at the beginning or end of the season, and account for travel logistics and club requests due to stadium issues or local events.
In other words: no, the league isn’t out to get Arsenal.
Rival Fans Jump In to Mock the Meltdown
Unsurprisingly, fans of other clubs had a field day with Arsenal supporters’ outrage.
One person wrote, “There’s nothing more Arsenal than fans writing to the Premier League to complain about fixtures. Phenomenal stuff.”
Another laughed, “Arsenal fans are acting like the fixture list is scripted—as if every team doesn’t play each other twice.”