Arsenal v Coventry City: Confirmed line-ups as champions kick off season against returning Sky Blues

The Gunners were dealt another injury blow ahead of the opener.

Arsenal v Coventry City: Confirmed line-ups as champions kick off season against returning Sky Blues

Arsenal kick off the new Premier League season as the defending champions host newly promoted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are the clear favourites to lift the trophy again having ended a 22-year wait to claim the title last season.

They begin against a Coventry side making their top-flight return after 25 years away, with Frank Lampard the mastermind behind their Championship promotion campaign last term.

A trip to North London is unlikely to offer much of a clue as to whether Coventry can avoid relegation, but it will still be a fascinating test for the new boys.

101GreatGoals has the full team news from the Premier League curtain-raiser.

Arsenal team news

In addition to being without William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, Arsenal suffered a blow with new signing Bruno Guimaraes reportedly set to miss several weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Ezri Konsa completed his move from Aston Villa on Friday but not in time to be involved. Gabriel Martinelli is not in the squad. The Gunners will allow the Brazilian to leave if they receive an acceptable offer.

Christos Tzolis will make his Premier League debut for Arsenal after an impressive showing in the Community Shield.

Arsenal: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis.

Arsenal substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, Eze, Gyokeres, Madueke, Nwaneri, Merino, Zubimendi, Dowman.

Coventry City team news

Coventry hand starts to new signings Frank Onyeka, Aurele Amenda, Caleb Yirenkyi and Loum Tchaouna. Carl Rushworth, who signed permanently after spending last season on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, starts in goal.

Taiwo Awoniyi and Gustavo Hamer are on the bench after joining from Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United respectively.

Coventry City: Rushworth; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Amenda, Dasilva; Grimes, Onyeka, Yirenkyi; Tchaouna, Thomas-Asante, Simms.

Coventry City substitutes: Wilson, Rudoni, Sakamoto, Awoniyi, Kitching, Latibeaudiere, Eccles, Torp, Hamer.

Recent Form & Stats for Arsenal v Coventry

  • Arsenal and Coventry have not met in the Premier League since February 2001 when the Gunners won 1-0 at Highfield Road
  • Arsenal have won their last four opening Premier League games to a new season
  • Coventry’s last Premier League opener, in 2000, ended in a 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough
  • Arsenal have won 17 of their last 18 games against promoted sides, the exception being last season’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland

Where to Watch Arsenal v Coventry: TV and online streams

Arsenal versus Coventry kicks off on Friday night at 8pm. It is being shown in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event. You can also stream it on Sky Go.

If you live outside the UK, click HERE for details of how to watch the game in your region.