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Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of the Arsenal vs Coventry Premier League fixture at the Emirates on August 21. The Gunners will be entering the 2026/27 season as the reigning champions, a feeling they have not experienced for over 20 years. This opening fixture is a baptism of fire for Frank Lampard’s Coventry. It’s only the first game, but both teams will be eager to make a positive start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign. Premier League: Team News and Predicted Lineups for Arsenal vs Coventry Date: Friday, August 21, 2026. Venue: Emirates Stadium. Kick-off: 20:00 GMT. Last meeting: Arsenal 4-0 Coventry (January 24, 2014). Referee: Tom Bramall. Current odds: Arsenal 1/6, Coventry 14/1, Draw 6/1. Read More: The Greatest Footballers of All Time: Part Two, 1918-1939 Arsenal Team News During the pre-match presser for Arsenal vs Coventry, Arteta gave the latest on the availability of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice: “Yes, they’re ready to be involved, yes,” confirmed Arteta. “No, I said in the next few weeks. He’s not training with the group yet,” added Arteta when asked if Jurrien Timber is ready to join training this week. The Gunners boss was also asked about signing a defender, with Arsenal reportedly close to signing Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa: “We are really active in the market, I think I mentioned that a few days ago. The ambition is to improve the squad. We have a really specific issue in the backline, especially with the long-term injury of Wilo [Saliba] and the fact that we miss one more defender; that’s clear. So we are trying to reinforce that area. Whenever we’re ready, we’ll announce something.” “I’m always positive, I’m always confident. It’s something that I cannot control. It doesn’t depend just on us, so we are willing to improve that area and we’re going to try our best to achieve that,” added Arteta. Read More: Top Five Greatest Manager Rants Coventry Team News Coventry boss Frank Lampard also spoke to the media ahead of the opening game; he confirmed Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni are “in contention” for the trip to the Emirates, while Haji Wright looks set for an extended spell on the sideline with a quad muscle injury. Discussing the Arsenal match, Lampard said: “I want to show in our performance and how we approach the game that we’re not coming into it with fear. We respect Arsenal greatly, but it doesn’t mean you play with too much respect that you are passive. We can hopefully show we are a good team that want to do something this year.” Arsenal Predicted Lineup Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie, Guimaraes, Lewis-Skelly, Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis, Havertz. Coventry Predicted Lineup Rushworth, Van Ewijk, Thomas, Amenda, Markelo, Onyeka, Grimes, Yirenkyi, Tchaouna, Simms, Thomas-Asante. Similar Football Content - Manchester United Move on International With the ‘Wow’ Factor - Mikel Arteta gives Honest Verdict on Arsenal’s Transfer Window as Season Approaches - Enzo Fernandez Deadline Passes – Is He Staying or Going Featured Image Credit: IMAGO / PA Images