Arsenal begin the defence of their Premier League title against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening, with manager Mikel Arteta facing a new fitness doubt over midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Guimaraes a doubt for Gunners
Guimaraes, who joined Arsenal from Newcastle United earlier this month, was forced off during the Community Shield victory over Manchester City last weekend. Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Arteta said: "Let's see how it is, it's evolving well, but let's see for tomorrow."
Arteta will be without defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. Saliba is continuing his rehabilitation from a back injury sustained at the World Cup, while Timber remains sidelined with a long-term groin problem. When asked if Timber could join team training this week, Arteta said: "No, I said in the next few weeks. He's not training with the group yet."
Rice and Saka fit to start
There was better news for Arsenal supporters, with Arteta confirming that Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are fit to start against Coventry. The Arsenal boss said: "Yes, they're ready to be involved, yes."
Coventry without top scorer Wright
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard confirmed on Thursday that his side will be without striker Haji Wright for the game against Arsenal. Wright was Coventry's top scorer last season, scoring 17 times as his side won the Sky Bet Championship.
The striker has been absent from recent friendly matches against RCD Espanyol and AS Monaco. Lampard admitted his star man could be out for as long as 12 weeks. He said: "Haji Wright won't be available for the Arsenal game. He won't be available for a little while, he's got a very serious quad injury which is disappointing for Haji and for us. It's certainly going to be a number of weeks, could even be up to 12 weeks."
Lampard, though, did confirm that both Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni will be in contention to feature at the Emirates after they missed games in pre-season.
Lampard warns of tougher times ahead
The Coventry boss also admitted his side need to be ready for "tougher times" this season ahead of their Premier League curtain-raiser. He said: "We will go through tougher times this year for sure because of the competition we're up against now so we'll need resilience in moments calmness in moments. An important part of my role is to have that balance and through having a long playing career through having a managerial career where I've had some really great moments and some difficult moments. But as a club we will need to stick together in those moments but I want to sound like I'm being too negative before something's happened. It's just a reality that we need to be ready for. Second spell at Chelsea wasn't great for me, for a PR point. But having been through the challenges for good and for bad in my managerial career I think it puts me in a better spot to deal with – don't get too high, don't get too low – continue and focus on your."
