Arsenal get their Premier League title defence underway against Coventry City on Friday night at the Emirates.
The Gunners are big favourites to get their season up and running with a win, while Frank Lampard's newly promoted Coventry will hope to make life as difficult as possible for the champions.
Arsenal have a number of doubts regarding their starting XI with Declan Rice playing just 45 minutes since the World Cup when coming on at half-time in the Community Shield and Bukayo Saka restricted to just 30 minutes. Rice might not be risked to start against Coventry, potentially keeping Myles Lewis-Skelly in the side.
Bruno Guimaraes is also a doubt having been taken off at the interval in Cardiff on Sunday with Arteta monitoring his new signing's fitness. If the Brazilian isn't risked, Martin Zubimendi may step in, though he's another player given an extended break after his World Cup efforts with Spain.
Jurrien Timber is set to miss out through injury while William Saliba will be out for the foreseeable.
Kai Havertz should retain his place up front, and while question marks remain around Gabriel Martinelli's future, Christos Tzolis should be deployed on the left once again.
For the visitors, Haji Wright and Luke Woolfenden will miss out through injury and Lampard will hope to be able to name Frank Onyeka in his midfield.
Aurele Amenda is expected to make his debut in the heart of defence, though new signing Taiwo Awoniyi will likely start from the bench with Ellis Simms leading the line.
Arsenal v Coventry City match info
Match | Arsenal v Coventry City |
Competition | Premier League |
Venue | Emirates Stadium |
Date | Friday 21st August |
Kick-off time | 20:00 BST |
Odds |
Predicted Arsenal team
David Raya
Ben White
Cristhian Mosquera
Gabriel
Riccardo Calafiori
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Bruno Guimaraes
Noni Madueke
Martin Odegaard
Christos Tzolis
Kai Havertz
Predicted Coventry City team
Carl Rushworth
Milan van Ewijk
Bobby Thomas
Aurele Amenda
Jay da Silva
Caleb Yirenkyi
Matt Grimes
Frank Onyeka
Loum Tchaouna
Brandon Thomas-Asante
Ellis Simms
Odds displayed above correct at time of publishing and subject to change or withdrawal or any time.
