The Arsenal team predicted to start against Coventry City in the Premier League curtain-raiser
Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka celebrate Arsenal's 2026 Community Shield win against Manchester City
Bruno Guimaraes and Bukayo Saka could both be involved for Arsenal against Coventry City on Friday night(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arsenal take on Coventry City in the curtain raiser of the Premier League season as they aim to defend their title successfully for the first time in more than 90 years. Mikel Arteta has laid down a marker following the massive win over Manchester City in the FA Community Shield.
The boost from the following weekend will bring plenty of momentum, and there is a new signing to celebrate, too, with the arrival of Ezri Konsa. However, the England international cannot feature, as the registration deadline has now passed.
Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka both played a considerable part in the clash with City and could be in the right state to start with Arteta, who is often one to throw his players straight into the action. But with such depth available in the team, it now raises questions for the manager over who starts in certain roles.
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Here is how football.london predicts Arsenal will set up:
David Raya
The Spaniard produced some very fine saves against City on Sunday, with the chance of kicking off another campaign toward another Golden Glove.
Ben White
Jurrien Timber is still not yet back which means Ben White for yet another season opener will be a starter in the side.
Cristhian Mosquera
The arrival of Ezri Konsa will give Mosquera a considerable challenge for the starting right centre-half spot which, with Saliba out, looked clear for him to occupy.
Gabriel
The Brazilian’s minutes are likely to be plentiful again this season, with no sign of a left-sided defender being signed.
Riccardo Calafiori
The Italian’s 23-second goal against Manchester City has kicked off Calafiori’s season in the perfect way, with the hope that he can maintain fitness which eluded him last season.
Declan Rice
Despite question marks over his readiness to return, Declan Rice just seems an inevitable pick by Mikel Arteta although his position as the six in the team will be the change for much of the season, injury-dependent.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Bruno Guimaraes picked up a knock against Manchester City and despite Arteta’s hope that he will be fit, the player might not be worth risking. Therefore, it makes sense for Lewis-Skelly to continue his fine form.
Martin Odegaard
One of the standout players from pre-season, the club captain has built up expectation in him after the summer, and there is excitement about what he is capable of bringing this season.
Bukayo Saka
Like Rice, many expected the talismanic winger to be given a rest but after the World Cup and pre-season over, the only chance to build up match sharpness is going to come in the Premier League.
Kai Havertz
The German appears to be the chosen starting centre-forward ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, although the Swede will be expected still to get minutes against his former club.
Christos Tzolis
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