Champions Arsenal trained for the final time on Thursday at London Colney as they gear up for tonight's Premier League opener against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has some big calls to make when Arsenal host Coventry in their Premier League opener
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Seven players were absent from Arsenal's training picture gallery ahead of their Premier League opener against Coventry City.
As ever, it's important to clarify that just because certain stars are missing, it does not definitively mean they did not train. In some cases, they may just not have been pictured.
Nonetheless, there is one case of significance: Bruno Guimaraes. The former Newcastle captain is understood to have picked up a knock in last Sunday's 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City in Cardiff.
Mikel Arteta hinted during Thursday's press conference that the Brazilian midfielder was a doubt to face the Sky Blues, alluding to said problem and Guimaraes was not spotted training on Thursday either having also missed other sessions.
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He was not alone though. Defender Piero Hincapie, Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira, Illan Meslier, Tommy Setford and striker Gabriel Jesus were also not pictured. Again, it does not necessarily mean they did not train, particularly where both goalkeepers are concerened.
Goalkeepers usually train separately to the outfield players before joining in latter in the session to face shots or feature in small-sided games.
Nelson, Vieira and Jesus are all available for transfer, so perhaps it is not surprise that they were not pictured. Nelson has been missing from the past few matchday squads, a clear indicator that he is expected to depart before the transfer deadline.
Youngsters Brayden Clarke, Marcell Washington and Demiane Agustien were involved as they continue their growth and development. Arteta is keen to continue casting an eye over the club's U21 starlets, who have been involved throughout pre-season.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes are ready to defend Arsenal's Premier League title having both trained pre-Coventry
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Outside of those listed, Arsenal were pretty much at full strength. William Saliba and Jurrien Timber remain sidelined due to injury and were not listed among the seven players absent as it's common knowledge they aren't available at this moment in time.
David Raya and compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga were present. Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori - the back-four expected to start against Coventry - all trained.
Marli Salmon was also there, as were Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Ebere Eze and captain Martin Odegaard.
Attackers Christos Tzolis, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Noni Madueke, Max Dowman, Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres all trained.
Tzolis is expected to start on the left-flank but Arteta has a big choice to make at right-wing with Madueke, Dowman and Saka all pushing to feature.
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