Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has claimed that the Potters always receive a tougher start to the Premier League than other clubs in the top flight.
Last weekend, Stoke began the campaign with a 1-0 defeat away at Everton, while they host Arsenal on Saturday evening as they look to avoid suffering consecutive setbacks.
The Staffordshire outfit must also play Manchester United and Chelsea in their opening six fixtures, and Hughes has gone on record in querying how the fixture list is compiled.
The 53-year-old told reporters: "Arsenal are a good side who always look like they can create and take chances.
"We always have difficult starts and that is how it's been since we've been in the Premier League. Other teams have it at different times."
In comparison, Stoke faced Manchester City, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in their first seven games last season.
At the beginning of the 2015-16 campaign, Stoke were paired with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal during their opening five contests.
Darren Plant
