Over £1 billion ($1.2 billion) was spent on transfer fees prior to the new season, with Haaland being the most notable player to join the Premier League.
Premier League season's opening weekend is highlighted by Haaland's debut. AFP
The Norwegian is anticipated to give Pep Guardiola's team, which has won the championship in four of the last five seasons, even more strength.
Haaland and City's season, however, did not start well as Liverpool, City's longtime adversary for the league title, won the Community Shield 3-1 last weekend.
With the addition of Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips to the lineup to replace the departing Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling, and Gabriel Jesus, a trip to the London Stadium is a good early-season test for City's reorganized squad.
Last season, West Ham came back to earn City a point that gave them the league title after they had a 2-0 halftime lead in the penultimate game of the regular season.
Gianluca Scamacca, an international striker for Italy, has been added to the Hammers' roster as David Moyes' team looks to cut the gap on the top four after qualifying for Europe the previous two seasons.
Guardiola added, "We know what the standard is, and we will meet the criteria as soon as we can while continuing to do what we have always done.
"I don't feel that we are very far apart because we are familiar with one another.
But our performance and what we must do will be determined by the matches against West Ham and Bournemouth afterward.
Chelsea is "not ready"
On Saturday, Chelsea will go to Everton, pitting two teams that are at opposite ends of the table and have reasons to be concerned about the upcoming season.
Chelsea's new era under Todd Boehly's consortium ownership has not gotten off to a pleasant start, with manager Thomas Tuchel citing a demanding schedule on a pre-season tour to the US and a dearth of acquisitions for feeling The new season is "not ready."
Tuchel is also dissatisfied with the fact that some important players, including captain Cesar Azpilicueta, are still trying to leave the team before the transfer market closes.
Arsenal destroyed Chelsea 4-0 in Orlando during the preseason, but Everton's dismal 4-0 loss to Minnesota United during their American trip was much worse.
The Toffees, who barely made it out of last season, have since traded Richarlison to Tottenham.
But in each of Chelsea's last four visits to Goodison Park, Everton has triumphed.
- Ten Hag's initial thoughts -
Manchester United will be one of the teams vying for Chelsea's spot in the top four if they fail to reach the levels they did under Tuchel previously.
The Red Devils' terrible season, in which they ended sixth, was summed up by a 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Brighton in May.
When the Seagulls arrive at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag will have the chance to make a positive first impression as United manager.
However, United's aspirations for a fresh start have been shattered by yet another trying summer off the field.
Although Cristiano Ronaldo has made it obvious that he wants to leave, no suitor has come forward for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, and United's persistent pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong seems doomed to failure.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace (1900)
Saturday
Tottenham vs. Southampton (1400), Everton vs. Chelsea (1130), Fulham vs. Liverpool (1130), Bournemouth vs. Aston Villa, Leeds vs. Wolves, Newcastle vs. Nottingham Forest, and (1630)
Sunday
West Ham vs. Man City, Man Utd vs. Brighton, and Leicester vs. Brentford (all at 1300) (1530)
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