Arsenal have completed the signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for an initial fee of £51million plus £4m in add-ons. The 28-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the option of a further year.
Why Konsa misses the Coventry opener
Konsa is not eligible to face Coventry City tonight because he would have had to be registered by 12pm on Thursday, the last working day before Arsenal's season opener. The defender only returned to training last week after being granted an extended break following his World Cup exploits with England.
Possible debut against former club
His Arsenal debut could come against his former club Aston Villa on August 31 at Villa Park, in what is Arsenal's second Premier League fixture. It remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta introduces him straight into the starting line-up.
Match details and head-to-head record
The Premier League curtain-raiser between Arsenal and Coventry takes place tonight, Friday, August 21, with an 8pm UK kick-off at the Emirates Stadium. Live coverage in the UK will be on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, with build-up beginning at 6.30pm.
Historically, Arsenal lead the head-to-head record with 43 wins to Coventry's 14 victories across 76 total competitive meetings, alongside 19 draws.
