Former Manchester City forward Shaun Goater has said that it is vital for Pep Guardiola's side to beat Arsenal in their opening match of the 2018-19 Premier League campaign.
The fixtures for the new season were released on Thursday, and reigning champions City face a trip to the Emirates Stadium to take on Unai Emery's Arsenal on the opening weekend.
Goater has claimed that it is "really important" for his former club to open with all three points in London.
"It's about starting well. City [will] want to get out of the blocks and then try and gain momentum from there. City will be looking to win that first game, which I think is really important," Goater told reporters.
City will also host Huddersfield Town and travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in August, before starting September with a home game against Newcastle United.
