Arsenal supporters could be back at the Emirates watching the Gunners by early October.

The Premier League announced on Friday that the 2020-21 season will commence on Saturday, September 12 and run until May 23, 2021.

The announcements mean that the season will begin behind closed doors – but hopes are high fans can return to stadiums up and down the country on a socially-distanced basis from October 1.

A statement from the Premier League read: "Premier League shareholders today agreed to start the 2020-21 Premier League season on September 12, 2020

"The final match round of the campaign will take place on May 23, 2021. The Premier League will continue to consult the FA and EFL regarding the scheduling of all domestic competitions."

The announcement follows an extended 2019-20 season following the 100 day suspension to help combat Covid-19 during lockdown – meaning a crowded fixture list this summer and next term.

The Premier League season this Sunday, ahead of Arsenal facing Chelsea in the 2020 FA Cup final a week on Saturday, while the Championship Play-Offs end the domestic season with the final on Tuesday August 4 at Wembley.

The Champions League and Europa League will then take place between August 5 and August 23, with the Champions League final taking place a mere 21 days before next season starts.

The agreement over the Premier League dates for next season was made without a formal vote required - while talks are ongoing with the FA and EFL over the scheduling of other competitions.

Allowing teams to make five substitutes per game next season was also discussed, but a vote is not expected to take place until the Premier League's AGM on August 6, when all 20 teams for next season will be known.

Premier League clubs including Arsenal are open to the possibility of offering to use pre-season games in August and early September as test events ahead of the planned relaxation of restrictions.

The EFL confirmed the Championship, League One and League Two seasons will start on the same weekend, September 12, with their normal seasons ending on the weekend of May 8, 2021, prior to the play-offs.

Clubs also spoke about homegrown player development and the implications Brexit will have, with discussions continuing.