Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking ahead of the Gunners' opening Premier League fixture against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium
Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes picked up a knock in Arsenal's win over Man City last weekend
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Mikel Arteta has confirmed both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are ready to start for Arsenal against Coventry City.
However, football.london understands midfielder Bruno Guimaraes picked up a small knock in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City and Arteta has admitted that Arsenal will have to wait and see whether the Brazilian will be available to feature.
When football.london asked Arteta during his pre-match press conference for an update on the Brazilian, the Spaniard replied: "Let's see. It's evolving well, but let's see."
Guimaraes, a £75million acquisition from Newcastle, made his unofficial debut in the club's penultimate friendly against Como last week before impressing against City in Cardiff.
Providing he is fit, he'd be pushing to start in midfield alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly again, though Rice is upping his fitness as he looks to return to the starting XI following an extended break.
Arteta was also quizzed on whether Lewis-Skelly would be staying at the club beyond the summer amid ongoing transfer speculation.
Manchester United and Chelsea are among the England international's admirers but Arteta appeared to put rumours to bed by stating "100%! [implying he will definitely stay]."
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly is set to stay at Arsenal, according to Mikel Arteta(Image: Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arteta also confirmed right-back Jurrien Timber is still recovering from his minor groin procedure. When asked whether he's returned to training yet, Arteta added on the Dutchman: "No, I say in the next few weeks, and he's not done that yet."
Outside of that, Ezri Konsa is not expected to be involved against the Sky Blues as the England international puts the finishing touches on his £51m switch from Aston Villa.
Konsa has been completing his transfer formalities after receiving the green light from Villa to undergo his medical tests. He could potentially make his Gunners debut at Villa Park on August 31.
Arsenal are looking to start their Premier League title defence on the front foot and Coventry will be without striker Haji Wright, who has suffered a quad issue.
Frank Lampard's side soared to the Championship title last season but on paper, there is no tougher fixture than a trip to the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal have proven to be a formidable force in recent years under Arteta.
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