football.london takes an early look at what the opening day line-up could be when Arsenal take on Coventry at the start of the Premier League season
The Premier League fixtures have been revealed, giving Arsenal supporters a look at what to expect for the new season as Mikel Arteta embarks on a mission to succeed where Arsene Wenger never could and successfully defend the title. For the first time in 22 years, the Gunners are champions, but a packed Emirates Stadium is yet to see the trophy.
That is expected to change come the opening day on August 21, when the Friday night curtain raiser for the new season sees Arsenal host newly-promoted Coventry City. The champions of the Championship return to the English top-flight for the first time since 2001.
This is the latest that the Premier League has ever kicked off as a result of the expanded World Cup, with the final scheduled to be held on July 19. Players are given three weeks off minimum in the summer, which would mean if any Arsenal player reached the final with their respective nation, they would have completed that period by the start of the new season; however, they would have only had just over a week of pre-season training.
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Looking at the selection of what Mikel Arteta could have available, therefore, against Coventry requires some crystal ball consulting and predicting which players might make it all the way. The favourites, France, lead the way with most bookies, followed by England, Spain and Argentina.
There is also a chance that Arsenal could have completed some transfers before the start of the season; the hope will be that this is the case. Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola, Christos Tzolis, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Ivan Fresneda are among those who have been linked with moves to the club.
However, Rogers and Barcola could both be part of squads going far in the tournament and, therefore, not match fit to start on the opening day. However, Tzolis and Fresneda have not been part of the tournament and Bouaddi might be one of those exiting the tournament at an earlier stage leaving plenty of recovery time.
Whereas David Raya is not Spain’s first choice and as a goalkeeper would be hoped to make it back for the first game, while Martin Zubimendi is also looking light on potential minutes. William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino, however, may not be ready.
Any potential line-up at this stage will be incredibly speculative. football.london offers a look at what could be to come.
Arsenal potential XI vs Coventry City: Raya; Fresneda, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi; Bouaddi, Odegaard; Dowman, Gyokeres, Tzolis
