Arteta confirms Guimaraes groin injury rules him out of Arsenal's Premier League opener against Coventry

Bruno Guimaraes will miss Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on Friday after picking up a groin injury on his debut for the club last weekend.

The Brazilian midfielder, signed from Newcastle for £75million this summer, started Arsenal’s 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City but was withdrawn at half-time. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the issue ahead of kick-off, explaining that the 27-year-old had arrived with minimal preparation time.

“He had a slight tension in his groin,” Arteta said. “He hasn’t done a pre-season, he only had four or five days before that game and we had to take him out. It’s a lot of new stuff for him as well. We need to take it bit by bit.”

With Guimaraes absent, Myles Lewis-Skelly starts in midfield alongside Declan Rice, while Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are named among the substitutes. Arsenal’s starting XI reads: Raya; White, Gabriel, Mosquera, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Tzolis, Havertz.

Arsenal are also without two key defenders for the fixture. Jurrien Timber is sidelined with a groin injury that ruled him out of the World Cup, while William Saliba picked up a back problem while on international duty with France in North America.

To address the defensive shortage, Arsenal moved quickly to sign Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £51million, with the deal announced on Friday. The 28-year-old England international has signed a four-year contract and could make his debut against his former club.

“I’m super excited. It’s a privilege to be here and can’t wait to get started,” Konsa said. “I want to keep winning, I’m hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for. It’s a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world.”

Notably absent from the squad entirely are Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, with Arsenal reportedly hoping to sell the Brazilian pair before the transfer window closes on 1 September. Ethan Nwaneri, who has been linked with a move away from the club, was included on the bench.