Declan Rice during an Arsenal training session
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been passed fit to face Coventry(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence on Friday when newly-promoted Coventry City visit Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta's side will adorn the gold Premier League winner badges on their shirts in the quest to successfully defend their place at the summit.
The Gunners will be buoyed by their dominant Community Shield win over Manchester City last weekend. City have been widely tipped to be the nearest challengers to the orth London club in May but goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard saw them cruise to another piece of silverware.
It has been a busy and important summer for Arsenal with efforts made to add to the title-winning squad. Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis are among the arrivals, with Ezri Konsa expected to follow suit while efforts to sign Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Jr were in vain.
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The movement in the transfer market would have been beneficial to ease the load on some of the title-winners, such as Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, who played through injury concerns during the campaign. Arteta addressed reporters on Thursday ahead of the curtain raiser on Friday and provided an injury update ahead of the clash with the Sky Blues.
Bruno Guimaraes
The summer signing was forced off during the Community Shield with a knock. Arteta was forced to admit that the Brazilian is touch-and-go for the opener despite recovering well from the issue.
He said: "Let's see how it is, it's evolving well but let's see for tomorrow."
Potential return date: August 31 vs Aston Villa (A).
Declan Rice
Arsenal supporters will have a close eye on Rice throughout the season after the Three Lions star embarked on a mammoth campaign. Rice played a staggering 55 matches in all competitions for the Gunners, while playing through injuries during the historic season.
Following the Champions League final disappointment, the 27-year-old's focus was immediately shifted to the World Cup where he was an integral figure for Thomas Tuchel's side.
He started as a substitute for Arsenal in the Community Shield before entering the fray after the interval. Arteta confirmed that he will be fit to face Frank Lampard's side.
Return date: August 21 vs Coventry City (H).
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Bukayo Saka
Saka will be another Premier League winner that Arsenal fans will be closely monitoring for fitness concerns. The England winger has endured a tough time with injuries but managed to shrug off the issues last season to help the Gunners win the league.
He was carefully deployed at the World Cup in North America with Tuchel using the winger sparingly, citing injury issues and an ongoing problem.
Saka was introduced on the hour mark on Sunday and Arteta confirmed that he will be fit to play.
He said: "They (Saka and Rice) are ready to be involved, yeah."
Return date: August 21 vs Coventry City (H).
Jurrien Timber
Jurrien Timber will remain sidelined with the groin problem that forced him out of the World Cup. The Holland defender made a return to the fold for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
However, the problem returned and it meant that Timber wasn't fit enough to compete for the Oranje in North America.
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His injury continues to hamper his selection prospects with Arteta confirming that he has yet to train with his teammates.
He said: "He's not been able to train with the group yet."
Possible return date: N/A.
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William Saliba
Saliba won't undergo surgery on his back but is set to miss a considerable period.
What Arteta has said: "With Willy, we all know it's a long-term injury."