New season preview

With just days to go until the new Premier League season gets underway read our club-by-club guides.

Banish those post-Olympic blues; the Premier League is back. Sergio Aguero's last gasp heroics at the City of Manchester Stadium will forever be etched in top flight folklore but at the weekend it all counts for nothing as the 2012/13 season gets underway in earnest. The European Championship and a number of high-profile transfers has whetted the appetite over the summer, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal (albeit before losing Robin van Persie) all having made significant captures as they look to close the gap on Roberto Mancini's champions. For Tottenham and Liverpool it's a case of stepping into the unknown as Andre Villas-Boas and Brendan Rodgers usher in new eras at White Hart Lane and Anfield respectively. Aston Villa, Norwich, West Brom and Swansea also welcome new bosses into the dugout, while Newcastle have been able to keep hold of all of their top players as they look to build on a thrilling past campaign. Elsewhere, new boys Reading, Southampton and West Ham will bid to continue a welcome trend of recent seasons that has seen promoted clubs hold their own with the big boys. Everton and Fulham will look to kick-on in that understated and dignified way they have made their own over the past few campaigns, with Sunderland and Stoke City looking to make improvements on less than spectacular past terms despite only modest investment. Our comprehensive club-by-club guides look back at what has transpired over the pre-season and, more importantly, forwards ahead of what should be another thrilling nine months of top class football. Arsenal: The future of captain Robin van Persie has dominated the headlines as the Dutchman closes on his move to Manchester United, but Arsene Wenger will not deviate from his chosen path regardless of which players he has at his disposal when the transfer window closes. Click here for full preview Aston Villa: Paul Lambert faces a huge challenge to revive fortunes at Villa Park but there is a sense he could be the perfect man for the job. Fans will have been using the summer to recuperate after a traumatic 2011/12. Villa narrowly avoided relegation last season and it was a campaign to forget. It can only get better, can't it? Click here for full preview Chelsea: Upon having his dream of winning a European Cup realised last season, Roman Abramovich was always going to go one of two ways. Thankfully for Chelsea fans his appetite has been whetted rather than sated, which would explain a lavish pre-season of spending in terms of the relative austerity of the past few summers. It's going to be a big season for Roberto Di Matteo, Fernando Torres et al... Click here for full preview Everton: Again many Evertonians are worried as this stage of pre-season, few arrivals and more departures at Goodison Park. Tim Cahill and Jack Rodwell have departed, but Steven Pienaar has finalised a permanent move and along with Steven Naismith's arrival gives grounds for optimism. Hope is still high that the club can mount a top-six bid. Click here for full preview Fulham: Fulham should reflect with pride on their first season under Martin Jol, having secured a top-half finish and developed greater consistency as the campaign unfolded after a tough early start in the Europa League qualifying rounds. It would still be quite an accomplishment to improve on ninth place over the next 12 months but the Cottagers will be striving to push on and cause a few surprises. Click here for full preview Liverpool: It is the start of a new era at Anfield with Brendan Rodgers brought in to replace Kenny Dalglish. Liverpool excelled in cup competitions last season, but failed to hit the heights in the Premier League. Rodgers faces a huge challenge to transform the club's fortunes and get across his style of playing to the players. Click here for full preview Man City: At Manchester City, Roberto Mancini has endured a frustrating summer as he looks to rejig his title-winning squad. While the coach is keen to bring in more big names, it could prove a blessing that there will be no massive overhaul of the squad. With captain Vincent Kompany at the fore, City finally appear to have forged a team spirit that can help them to further honours. Click here for full preview