West Brom winger Chris Brunt has welcomed the prospect of opening the Premiership season against Arsenal.

"Arsenal away is obviously going to be a tough start to the season," Brunt, who is preparing for his first-ever top-flight campaign, told the Baggies website.

"It doesn't get any harder than that. But it might be a nice shock to the system for us to show everyone exactly what the Premier League is all about. It will definitely give us a real gauge of where we are as a team and what we are in for in the Premier League."

The games do not get any easier after the Emirates trip, with the first home clash a week later against UEFA Cup qualifiers Everton.

But Brunt is relishing the opportunity to take on the big names of the Premier League no matter how hard a task it may look on paper.

"Every game is going to be difficult next season," he added. "We have Everton at home in the first game and they had a fantastic time last season.

"But we are looking forward to all of the games and these are the teams we worked hard last season to be playing against.

"I can't wait to get back for pre-season now."