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Gunners to go back-to-back for the first time? Mikel Arteta's side enter this season finally relieved of a huge specific pressure; the ghost of the Premier League that has evaded them for 22 years is finally a thing of the past. With this in mind, it is largely the consensus that Arsenal can finally play without that feeling of nervousness that has been prevalent in the past four seasons, specifically at home when the Gunners support can reciprocate that energy of being on edge for 90 minutes. 26/27, however, presents a new challenge: can Arsenal defend their Premier League crown for the first time in the club's history? In fact, the only time the Gunners have won consecutive First Division titles is a spell of three league championship wins in the 1930s from 1932-35, nearly a century ago. In each of their three Premier League title defences, Arsenal have finished 2nd every time; to Manchester United in 1998/99 (by one point) and in 2002/03 and also to Chelsea in 2004/05 after the Invincible season. But what better way to kick-start making history for Mikel Arteta's side - embracing a new challenge up against the new kids on the block in Coventry City at home. A new challenge for Arsenal; Champion vs Champion It's not only Arsenal who will look to stamp their mark in the history books on Friday evening. Coventry are set to play their first Premier League game in 25 years, marking a tremendous return to the division after Frank Lampard guided them to a Championship promotion, comfortably top of the table. The West Midlands side are a founding member of the Premier League and are set to take part in their 10th season in the division, but history says they have a huge task on their hands, having only three wins in 18 games against the Gunners in the division. Coventry have only played at the Emirates Stadium twice, with two heavy defeats coming in the cup competitions. The first being a 6-1 defeat to Arsenal in the 2012/13 League Cup and a 4-0 defeat in the FA Cup just a season later. Mikel Arteta also has a great record against the Coventry manager Frank Lampard, with four wins in six, however Lampard's only win against the Gunners boss came in Arteta's first ever Arsenal home game in 2019 as Chelsea came out late 2-1 winners. Bruno Guimaraes and the burden on Declan Rice The signing of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes will be a huge relief for Arsenal, not just because they have signed one of the leagues best midfielders in his prime, but also the sheer squad depth they can now flex in the middle. Record signing Declan Rice has been superb for three seasons now, but after a World Cup and a few injury scares, fans feel he may need a season where another 50 games isn't within question. Martin Zubimendi also tailed off form in the second half of the season and Mikel Merino has had his own injury problems so Bruno will also take the load off Arsenal players that are struggling for fitness and form. Guimaraes may have picked up a knock against Manchester City last weekend so may struggle to start, but the Gunners fanbase are desperate to see what he can add to the Champions team. Will Arsenal make an attacking statement? One of the biggest question marks around Arsenal this summer is, will Mikel Arteta go more attacking this season now the pressure of a first league title has been relieved? There has been frustration surrounding a lack of attacking signings, but the firepower is there and a game against a newly promoted side at home could certainly give the front three confidence going into the season. Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard being fit and firing will also be key, with the duo both netting in Arsenal's 3-0 Community Shield win against Manchester City last weekend. Arsenal's strength lies in their defensive discipline and ability to suffocate opponents in their own half whilst on the ball, but you get the feeling the Emirates crowd would like to see improved attacking performances this season. Outside shouts for a starting spot Myles Lewis-Skelly There has been a lot of outside noise around Lewis-Skelly this summer surrounding his game time in midfield with the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle. However, a lot of the rumours around a potential exit have largely been dismissed by Mikel Arteta this week, and he looks set to stay at the club. With Declan Rice potentially needing managed minutes at the start of the season, Bruno Guimaraes potentially carrying a knock and a bright Community Shield performance against Manchester City, a start in the middle to open up the season for The Champions may not be surprising. Cristhian Mosquera A huge headache for The Gunners this summer has been the injury status of William Saliba, with the Frenchman set to be out for months after nursing a back issue over the World Cup. Arsenal also look set to sign Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa as cover but the deal will unlikely be done in time for Friday's game. With Jurrien Timber still struggling for fitness after a lack of pre-season, Ben White will likely start at right back so Cristhian Mosquera has the perfect opportunity here to make a statement at the back. Eberechi Eze A big-moment player that signed for his boyhood club exactly a year ago over bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Eberechi Eze has a huge season ahead of him. One of the players to miss a penalty in last May's Champions League final loss to PSG in Budapest and often times struggling with inconsistency, Eze may struggle to start weekly this season. However, the minutes are there, and Mikel Arteta may look to deploy the star as a left-winger for this game with Gabriel Martinelli not in the squad as of late and Christos Tzolis still adjusting to the team. Tzolis still looks likely to start but Eze is certainly a quality option should he be called upon. Victor Gyokeres Probably the least likely to start out of these four options, but Mikel Arteta could opt to give his top scorer last season a start up front in the game against his former club. Kai Havertz has been preferred as a striker in recent big games and hasn't disappointed, but if there is one thing about Victor Gyokeres, he loves to score in these games. It's definitely an option for Arsenal, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him get some minutes and a goal or two for himself.