Arsenal‘s defence of their Premier League title will begin on Friday evening, with the Gunners welcoming newly-promoted Coventry City to the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta‘s side are the reigning champions and the favourites to again finish at the top of the division this season, while any spot over 18th would be considered a successful campaign for Coventry.
Arsenal showed their class in the Community Shield against Manchester City last weekend, putting in a brilliant performance to record a 3-0 victory over Enzo Maresca’s side, and the Gunners have been able to strike an early blow to a major domestic rival.
This is where the real business begins, though, and anything other than a comfortable opening-night success would go down as a disappointment for the North London outfit.
Arsenal have made four signings this summer, bringing in Bruno Guimaraes, Piero Hincapie, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier; a fifth is expected to be confirmed in the near future, with the Gunners closing in on the signing of England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa.
The Gunners won last season’s Premier League title with 85 points, finishing seven points ahead of second-placed Man City, and the capital outfit are again regarded as the favourites this term.
Arteta’s team have a fascinating start to the campaign, taking on Aston Villa and Chelsea in their two matches after this one, and there is expected to be more business both in and out of the Emirates Stadium before this summer’s transfer window closes for business.
Arsenal and Coventry have locked horns on 76 previous occasions throughout history, and it is the Gunners that lead the overall head-to-head record 43 wins to 14, while there have been 19 draws.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
