Arsenal are still “really active” in the market as they look to improve their squad, but Mikel Arteta could be without one of his new singings for the opening game of their Premier League title defence.
The Gunners kick off the new campaign on Friday when they welcome newly promoted Coventry City to Emirates Stadium.
However, they could be without Bruno Guimaraes for that game, the midfielder dealing with an injury having been replaced after the first half of Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield last Sunday.
“Let’s see how it is,” Arteta told his pre-match press conference when asked about Guimaraes.
“He’s evolving really well, but let’s see for tomorrow.”
Fellow midfielder Declan Rice and winger Bukayo Saka are available to feature, but right-back Jurrien Timber has yet to re-join training with the squad as he recovers from a groin injury.
It is defence where Arsenal are poised to add further to their squad, with the Gunners closing in on a deal with Aston Villa for centre-back Ezri Konsa, a signing that, when confirmed, will negate some of the impact of William Saliba’s absence.
On their remaining transfer business, Arteta said: “We are really active in the market. I think I mentioned that a few days ago. The ambition is to improve the squad.
“Obviously we have a really specific issue in the back line, especially with the long term injury of Willi and the fact that we miss one more defender that’s clear. So we are trying to reinforce that area. Whenever we’re ready, we’ll announce something.
“I’m always positive, I’m always confident. It’s something that I cannot control. It doesn’t depend just on us. So we are willing to improve that area, and we’re going to try our best to achieve that.”
One player who has been linked with a move away from North London is Myles Lewis-Skelly, whose versatility came to the fore last season as he was used in midfield as well as at the back.
And Arteta made the Gunners’ stance on a Lewis-Skelly transfer clear.
Pressed on whether the 19-year-old would be staying at the club, Arteta replied: “100 per cent.”
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