PL: Arsenal v Coventry City

And we’re back. Premier League Champions Arsenal begin their title defense on Friday, hosting newcomers Coventry City at The Emirates. After a thrilling 3-0 victory in the Community Shield, Arsenal put a few questions to bed from their preseason and will want to carry that momentum into the new campaign.

Coventry City walked the Championship last season under Frank Lampard, who will be desperate to prove himself in the topflight. They scored 97 goals, and they had the league’s top defensive unit. Coventry come into the PL with a strong foundation, and they didn’t sit still this summer: They’ve spent £20m on French winger Loum Tchaouna from Burnley. They've also brought in Swiss central defender Aurele Amenda from Eintracht Frankfurt. 20-year-old Ghanaian midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi has signed from Nordsjaelland in a £23.1m deal. Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth arrives from Brighton in a £22m deal. But it remains to be seen what this looks like on the pitch. Will they be Sunderland or Burnley?

Arsenal start the season with a few questions off the pitch but very few on it, as evidenced by their thrashing of City at the weekend. New signing Bruno Guimaraes looked right at home, as did Christos Tzolis. The Greek winger managed two assists in his competitive debut. For all the worry about their defense, Arsenal’s right side of Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera looked solid, keeping a clean sheet. While the transfer window will see more twists and turns, Mikel Arteta will want to keep the calm around the squad. Three points is what matters most.

Will Arsenal start the campaign with three points? Or will Coventry do a Brentford and stun us on opening day? Knock off work and start the weekend early with us on Friday at Dillon’s. We have a title to defend.

VCC


UTA

KEEP THE FAITH ✊