Arsenal predicted XI vs Coventry City as Mikel Arteta faces selection dilemmas

For the first time in over 20 years, Arsenal head into a Premier League season as defending champions. The North London side waltzed to their fourth title under the stewardship of Mikel Arteta last term, finally getting over the line after years of near misses.

And while the celebrations of them hoisting the trophy at Selhurst Park back in May will be fresh in the minds of every player and fan, it’s now back down to business.

Arsenal kick off the defence of their title on Friday night as they welcome newly-promoted Coventry City to the Emirates Stadium.

Supporters have already managed to get a glimpse of the champions as they eased past Manchester City to win the Community Shield . New signings Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes were handed their debuts but did either of the pair do enough to start in Arsenal’s league opener?

Before we answer that question, let’s start in defence where Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has a pretty simple task ahead of him. Last season’s Golden Glove winner David Raya will of course start between the sticks - and the defence in front of him effectively picks itself.

Both William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are ruled out through injury, which opens the door to Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White . Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes will partner the former in the heart of defence.

There’s then a debate to be had at the other fullback spot, where Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie could all play. But given the Italian’s performance in the Community Shield, Arteta may just stick with what he already has.

Academy graduate Lewis-Skelly shone in Cardiff against City, so it feels very harsh to suggest that he could drop out. But Declan Rice is now fit and ready to go, Arteta did express some fitness doubts about new signing Bruno Guimaraes - but that's nothing new for the Gunners boss, he should still start.

It’s also very difficult to envisage Arteta not starting captain Martin Odegaard for the Gunners’ Premier League opener.

When it comes to his attack, the Arsenal boss now has a wealth of options to choose from. Summer arrival Tzolis enjoyed a bright start to life with his new club in the Community Shield after notching two assists and that performance might well have been enough to earn a starting spot against Coventry.

Noni Madueke started on the opposite flank against City, but Arteta might be tempted to draft in Bukayo Saka for a start.

There is then another debate to be had in the central attacking position, where Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus are all options. The German scored against City - and appeared to have usurped Gyokeres in the pecking order at the end of last season - so is probably a good bet to start again.

Arsenal predicted XI vs Coventry: Raya; Calafiori, Gabriel, Mosquera, White; Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard; Tzolis, Saka, Havertz.