Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence against Coventry City on Friday night as Mikel Arteta’s champions return to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners enter the new campaign after an emphatic Community Shield victory, beating Manchester City 3-0 in Cardiff through goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.
Coventry provide the first league opposition of 2026/27 after Frank Lampard guided the Sky Blues back to the Premier League following a 25-year absence. They won the Championship last season and will immediately face the reigning champions on their top-flight return.
Here is everything Arsenal supporters need to know about the game.
The COUNTDOWN is on! ⏱️
Premier League champions Arsenal welcome newly-promoted Coventry City to the Emirates on the 21st of August ⚽️#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/ArK4mgVmrr
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 12, 2026
What time is Arsenal vs Coventry City?
Arsenal vs Coventry City kicks off at 8pm BST on Friday 21 August 2026.
The game takes place at the Emirates Stadium and is the opening fixture of the new Premier League season.
It gives Arsenal only five days between lifting the Community Shield in Cardiff and beginning the defence of their league crown.
What TV channel is Arsenal vs Coventry on?
Arsenal vs Coventry will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Sky has confirmed the Friday-night fixture as one of six matches it will broadcast across the Premier League’s opening weekend, with coverage available through Sky Sports Premier League.
Sky subscribers can also watch through the Sky Go service, which is included with eligible Sky TV subscriptions.
The match will additionally have live radio commentary on talkSPORT.
Latest Arsenal team news before Coventry
Arteta still has defensive issues to manage.
William Saliba remains unavailable with the back injury suffered during the World Cup, while Jurrien Timber is progressing from his groin problem but was still expected to require several weeks before completing his return to full training when Arteta gave his latest update.
There could also be changes further forward.
Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were all omitted against Manchester City, although Arteta subsequently played down suggestions that those decisions automatically signalled departures. ReadArsenal covered Arteta’s reaction after he admitted he was “really sad” to leave Nwaneri out.
Arsenal will nevertheless start as heavy favourites against a Coventry side embarking on their first Premier League campaign since 2000/01.
Friday night provides Arteta’s team with their first opportunity to turn an impressive Community Shield performance into three points.
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