Arsenal will open their Premier League campaign as defending champions when they take on newly promoted Coventry City tonight.

Mikel Arteta’s side will be aiming for a comfortable home victory after making a statement by beating rivals Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield.

Strengthened by new signings including Bruno Guimarães, Piero Hincapié, Christos Tzolis, Ezri Konsa, and Illan Meslier, the Gunners are favorites heading into the match. However, they face some tricky fixtures in the coming weeks, with Aston Villa and Chelsea among their next opponents.

Arteta expressed his hunger to defend the Premier League title ahead of the fixture and repeat a feat that has not been achieved by an Arsenal squad since 1934.

“I feel good, different, hopefully better. More excited than ever. Hungrier than ever. I can’t wait to start the Premier League at home in front of our supporters, have a great performance and win the match.

He also said the team still has room to improve as they enter the new season.

“We need to breathe and we need to take this organically because it’s going to be a long marathon. What we need to show is that desire and ambition will be better than what we were last season, a month ago or a week ago when we played Manchester City. We have the ability to improve, to evolve and that’s what I sense and I feel around the club and especially around the players.”

Meanwhile, Coventry City, under Frank Lampard, earned automatic promotion after winning the Championship last season. They finished nine points clear of Ipswich Town, and their biggest aim this season will be to survive and avoid relegation.

Arsenal vs. Coventry City Official Lineup & Team News

The Gunners will be without Jurriën Timber and William Saliba in defense, with both players still undergoing treatment for their injuries.

Arteta could also start Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka after both players featured from the bench in the Community Shield.

The biggest disappointment for the manager is the unavailability of new signing Bruno Guimarães, who suffered an untimely injury before the match.

Arsenal:

• Goalkeeper: Raya
• Defenders: White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori
• Midfielders: Ødegaard, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Saka, Tzolis
• Forward: Havertz

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🆚 Arsenal vs Coventry

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Lampard, meanwhile, will be without Haji Wright, who is ruled out with a quad injury.

Coventry City:

• Goalkeeper: Rushworth
• Defenders: Van Ewijk, Thomas, Amenda, Dasilva
• Midfielders: Onyeka, Yirenkyi, Grimes
• Forwards: Tchaouna, Simms, Thomas-Asante