REUTERS/Phil Noble via Action Images
Arsenal host Coventry City in the opening Premier League match of the 2026/27 season at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night as Mikel Arteta's side begin the defence of their crown.
The Gunners are hoping to win back-to-back league titles for the first time since the 1930s, and avoiding an upset against a newly promoted side on opening night will be a challenging initial test for them. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard's Sky Blues will be playing their first top-flight match since 2001, and they've not been granted the most welcoming of return fixtures.
GIVEMESPORT has taken a look at the team news for both sides and how they could line up on Friday...
Arsenal Team News
William Saliba
Arsenal have two major injury concerns heading into the new season. William Saliba is expected to miss the first few months of the campaign after his long-standing back issue hit its breaking point during the World Cup. While the Frenchman has avoided surgery, he's partway through a lengthy spell of rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber missed the summer tournament in North America altogether as he fights his way back from a groin issue. Speaking to the media (via Arsenal.com) prior to Arsenal's Community Shield clash with Manchester City, Arteta provided an update on the Dutchman's situation.
"Jurrien is progressing really well. He is on the pitch, we are ramping up now with certain actions and especially the volume and the load. I think he is on a good trajectory, but there is still a few weeks to go. We have to wait and see. He needs to start to train with the group in the next week or so hopefully, and then see how he progresses from there. It's been a long-term issue, and we want to make sure that every step that we take is the right one, he feels right to do that, because he's such an important player for us."
Predicted Arsenal XI
Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
Arsenal comfortably dispatched City at the Millennium Stadium last week, and Arteta is likely to roll out an almost identical starting eleven to the one he deployed in Wales.
The Gunners are closing in on the signing of Ezri Konsa, although the England international certainly won't be through the door in time to feature against Coventry. That means Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera will retain their places, while Riccardo Calafiori is likely to be selected over Piero Hincapie again.
In midfield, Myles Lewis-Skelly's exceptional performance against the Citizens may earn him a start again alongside Bruno Guimaraes. Declan Rice may be slowly integrated back into the side following his excursions with England over the summer.
Bukayo Saka for Noni Madueke could be the one change Arteta makes. The Gunners' talisman played just 30 minutes during pre-season, all of which came in the Community Shield, but should be ready to play somewhere between a half and an hour on Friday.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Tzolis.
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Coventry Team News
Frank Lampard holds the Championship trophy
Lampard has a number of injury issues to contend with heading to N5. Midfielder Jack Rudoni has been suffering with a long-term shoulder problem and is subsequently a doubt for the trip to the Emirates. Meanwhile, wide man Ephron Mason-Clark and number eight Frank Onyeka are both doubts due to minor injuries sustained during pre-season.
Prolific striker Haji Wright has a suspected thigh strain and has been ruled out of the game on Friday, while defender Luke Woolfenden is also unavailable.
Speaking to the media last week, Lampard provided an update on two doubtful players...
He [Mason-Clark] has had a small injury, we played a game at Leicester, a tiny little reaction in his hamstring which we are being careful with. We are hoping he is fit to train this week and will be available next week. He [Wright] has got a quad injury which we are investigating so I will tell you more when we know exactly what it is."
Predicted Coventry XI
Aurele Amenda
Lampard is expected to persist with the 4-3-3 system that earned his side promotion to the top flight. Carl Rushworth will start in goal, while new signing Aurele Amenda is expected to make his debut alongside Bobby Thomas at the heart of the Sky Blues' defence.
Milan van Ewijk and Jay Dasilva will be rewarded for their strong Championship seasons, as will midfielder Matt Grimes. If Onyeka proves to be unavailable, Victor Torp could start in the middle of the park next to new addition Caleb Yirenkyi.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Louma Tchaouna will flank Ellis Simms in the forward line.