Arsenal are set to welcome Bukayo Saka back into contention for Friday’s Premier League opener against Coventry City, but Mikel Arteta remains without two major defensive options.
The champions return to the Emirates only five days after beating Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield.
Saka was available for the trip to Cardiff after returning from his post-World Cup break and recovering from the Achilles problem which affected him towards the end of last season. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi were also cleared to feature.
Arteta now has several selection decisions to make before Arsenal begin their title defence against newly-promoted Coventry.
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Bukayo Saka available for Arsenal vs Coventry
Saka’s return is particularly significant.
The England international managed an Achilles issue during the closing stages of Arsenal’s title-winning campaign and had only recently returned to club training following the World Cup.
Arteta confirmed before the Community Shield that Saka, Rice and Zubimendi were all available after completing training with the squad.
Friday gives the trio almost another week of preparation.
Saka therefore has a strong chance of returning to Arsenal’s starting XI against Coventry, although Arteta must decide how aggressively to reintegrate players who had shortened pre-seasons.
Christos Tzolis’ excellent Community Shield performance gives him another attacking option after the £34m winger produced two assists against City.
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber remain out
The defensive picture is less positive.
Saliba remains sidelined with the back injury suffered during France’s World Cup campaign. Arsenal previously confirmed the centre-back would require an extended rehabilitation programme, although surgery was not required.
Timber is also not ready.
Arteta said the Netherlands international was progressing well from his groin injury but still needed a few weeks before returning fully, with the next stage involving a gradual return to group training.
That leaves Gabriel Magalhaes, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera among Arteta’s main central defensive options against Coventry.
Arsenal coped comfortably without Saliba and Timber on Sunday, keeping Manchester City scoreless in Cardiff.
The Premier League opener should nevertheless provide a different test.
Coventry are likely to defend deeper and attack through transitions, meaning Arteta must balance getting his returning stars back into the side with avoiding unnecessary risks four days into a long title defence.
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