Mikel Arteta don provide update on im squad before Arsenal opening Premier League match against Coventry City on Friday night. The boss talk say England duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice dey ready to play, as both don feature off the bench for the 3-0 win over Man City for Community Shield.
Arteta also yarn about new midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, wey dem don sign from Newcastle. Bruno bin dey pulled out at half-time last weekend, but Arteta say “e dey evolve really well” and we go see for tomorrow. The manager tok say the trio go hope to feature, but Jurrien Timber and William Saliba no go ready.
For the backline, Arteta explain say Timber dey progress well but no fit play against the newly promoted side. “E go come back for next few weeks, e no dey train with the group yet,” Arteta talk. “We get specific issue for backline, especially with Wilo long-term injury. We dey try to reinforce that area, and whenever we ready, we go announce something.”
On squad depth, Arteta say e dey happy to work with big squad this season but e fit be challenge to share minutes. “I go like the squad dey big as possible because we know wetin we dey fight for. The deeper the squad, the better. Players need to feel important and valued, and to do that, dem need to play minutes.”
Arsenal don win the title last season, beating Man City by seven points. Dem fit secure the championship with best defence for division, wey only concede 27 goals. But dem score less than City, 71 goals vs 77. This season dem add Bruno Guimaraes to strengthen midfield.
For Community Shield, Arsenal bin beat Man City 3-0 with goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard. But note say City now dey managed by Enzo Maresco.
Coventry, under Frank Lampard, don win Championship title with 11 points clear of Ipswich. Dem score 97 goals and get best defensive record, only concede 45. Dem don enjoy fine pre-season, beating Monaco and Espanyol. Opta supercomputer rate Arsenal as 80 percent favourite, with Coventry just 7 percent.
History show say Arsenal and Coventry don meet 76 times before this, with Arsenal winning 43 and Coventry 14. The last meeting na FA Cup for January 2014, where Arsenal win 4-0. For league, Arsenal win 1-0 for Coventry for 2001 through Dennis Bergkamp. Coventry last beat Arsenal for 1999, and dem never win at Emirates Stadium.
For team news, Arsenal get only two injuries: William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. The likely lineup be Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Guimaraes; Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz. For Coventry, Haji Wright and Luke Woolfenden no fit play, but Jack Rudoni and Frank Onyeka go do late fitness test.
