Mikel Arteta has delivered a mixed bag of fitness news before Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign against Coventry City. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are both available, but there’s still a question mark over Bruno Guimaraes
The Gunners begin their title defence at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow night, just five days after sweeping aside Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield
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Saka and Rice have been playing catch-up in pre-season after late returns from World Cup duty, but Arteta confirmed in his press conference that both England internationals are fit and ready to go
Rice and Saka both got their first minutes of the season in the second half at Wembley and now looks set to push for a starting spot
Guimaraes, though, remains a doubt
Arsenal Waiting on Bruno Guimaraes
The Brazilian started against Manchester City but was replaced by Rice at half-time and was later seen on the bench icing his thigh. Initially causing concern as to whether Arsenal’s £75 million summer signing would be fit in time for the season opener
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Arteta offered some encouragement on Thursday, although he stopped short of confirming whether Guimaraes would be involved
“Let’s see how he is,” Arteta said. “He’s evolving really well.”
The Brazilian completed his move from Newcastle earlier this month, so it has already been a busy introduction to life at Arsenal
He featured in the final pre-season friendly against Como and started at Wembley as the Gunners picked up their first silverware of the 2026/27 campaign
Arsenal have one final training session to find out whether Guimaraes is an option before they take on newly promoted Coventry
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Declan Rice being available gives hope that Arsenal have options in the middle for tomorrow night
Guimaraes’ arrival has only added to Arsenal’s midfield depth, with Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard and Myles Lewis-Skelly already alongside Declan Rice as the options in midfield. However, this summer’s World Cup has meant that not all of them go into the new season at peak fitness
Saliba and Timber Remain Sidelined
William Saliba is still sidelined after aggravating a back injury with France at the World Cup and will miss the start of Arsenal’s title defence. His absence is also a major reason behind the club’s pursuit of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa
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Asked about Arsenal’s activity in the market, and Konsa in particular, Arteta said:
“We are really active in the market, and the ambition is to improve the squad. We have a specific need in the back line with the long-term issue with Willy
“When we are ready, we will announce something.”
Jurrien Timber is making progress in his recovery from the groin injury that kept him out of the tournament, but he’s not quite ready to return just yet, having not returned to training with the wider squad yet
Arteta said before the Community Shield that Timber was back training on the pitch and stepping up his workload, but there are still a few weeks to go
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Their absence means Arsenal are missing two players who would usually be in the running to start on the right of Arteta’s back four
Cristhian Mosquera lined up alongside Gabriel Magalhaes against Manchester City and helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet. Ben White filled in at right-back
Mosquera’s showing at Wembley was encouraging ahead of the league opener, but those defensive injuries are still a big reason why Arsenal are looking to add reinforcements before the transfer window shuts
Arteta Has Decisions to Make for Coventry
With Saka and Rice cleared, Arteta has two key players at his disposal, though that doesn’t mean either is a lock to start
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Both only rejoined the squad shortly before the Community Shield after extended breaks. With a long Premier League and Champions League campaign ahead, there’s no need for Arteta to take risks this early
The bigger question is Guimaraes, especially after what happened at Wembley
Seeing him icing his thigh made his half-time exit more than a routine change to manage minutes. Still, Arteta’s latest update suggests he’s on the mend
Saliba and Timber are both ruled out for Coventry, so Arsenal go into their first league game with two definite absentees
Saka and Rice are ready to go. Guimaraes might yet join them
Arteta has one last training session to weigh up just how strong a side he wants to put out from the off on Friday night
