Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence as defending champions for the first time in over 20 years. They won their fourth title under Mikel Arteta last season, finally securing the trophy after years of near misses.
The Gunners welcome newly-promoted Coventry City to the Emirates Stadium on Friday night. Arsenal eased past Manchester City to win the Community Shield, with new signings Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes making their debuts.
Defence Picks Itself
David Raya, last season's Golden Glove winner, will start in goal. The defence in front of him effectively picks itself, with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber ruled out through injury. Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White are set to start, with Gabriel Magalhaes partnering Mosquera in the heart of defence.
At the other fullback spot, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie are all options. Given Calafiori's performance in the Community Shield, Arteta may stick with what he already has. Lewis-Skelly shone in Cardiff against City, so it feels very harsh to suggest he could drop out.
Midfield and Attack Decisions
Declan Rice is now fit and ready to go. Arteta expressed some fitness doubts about new signing Bruno Guimaraes, but he should still start. It is also very difficult to envisage Arteta not starting captain Martin Odegaard for the Premier League opener.
In attack, Arteta now has a wealth of options. Summer arrival Tzolis enjoyed a bright start in the Community Shield after notching two assists, which might be enough to earn a starting spot against Coventry. Noni Madueke started on the opposite flank against City, but Arteta might be tempted to draft in Bukayo Saka for a start.
In the central attacking position, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus are all options. Havertz scored against City and appeared to have usurped Gyokeres in the pecking order at the end of last season, so he is probably a good bet to start again.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Coventry: Raya; Calafiori, Gabriel, Mosquera, White; Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard; Tzolis, Saka, Havertz.
