Arsenal’s eagerly-awaited clash against Manchester City may have handed Unai Emery a tough start but the new head coach is cautiously optimistic about his side’s chances – and has called for solidarity between fans and the team.

The Gunners host a side that lifted last term’s Premier League crown by finishing 37 points ahead of the Gunners as well as 19 points in front of runners-up Manchester United.

The North Londoners will also start against Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering champions with midfield starlet Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left-back thanks to knee injuries to first choice Nacho Monreal and his replacement Sead Kolasinac.

However, Emery, who took over from long-serving former manager Arsene Wenger in May, is bullish about his side’s prospects for the forthcoming 2018-19 top flight season.

Speaking at London Colney, the club’s training HQ, on Friday, Emery previewed the game, saying: “It’s very exciting.

“We have a lot of ambition to start Sunday against the last wiiners of the Premier league. It’s a big match to start the season.

“The players are working to improve in each training session, but Sunday we need to show on the pitch our performance because the opposition demands our best tactically and individually.

“For that, on Sunday I want to be together with our supporters.”