Arsenal v Coventry City LIVE commentary: Declan Rice expected NOT to start for the Champions

The new Premier League campaign gets underway with defending champions Arsenal hosting newly promoted Coventry City, live on talkSPORT.

Mikel Arteta has made some impressive changes to his squad over the summer, with Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis the most notable signings.

Getty

The pair played crucial roles in the Gunners’ Community Shield victory last weekend, with Tzolis providing two assists on his debut.

Meanwhile, the Sky Blues are preparing for their long-awaited top-flight return after 25 years away.

The midlands outfit have spent £100million on new recruits in anticipation of their survival battle.

Arsenal head into the new season off the back of that 3-0 dominance of Manchester City, while Coventry enjoyed an impressive pre-season win over Monaco, thanks to first-half goals from Ellis Simms and Loum Tchaouna.

Where to watch Arsenal v Coventry City

The fixture will be played on Friday, August 21.

It is scheduled to kick off at the Emirates Stadium at 8pm.

talkSPORT will have live commentary of the match to open up the Premier League campaign.

Coverage will start from 7pm and will be presented by Adrian Durham. There will be commentary from Jim Proudfoot and former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew.

Listen talkSPORT through the website or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app.

For the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event, visit talkSPORT BET.

Subscribe to the talkSPORT YouTube channel for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT on X.

Getty

talkSPORT.com will also have all the action in our dedicated Premier League blog.

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 7pm.

Arsenal v Coventry City: Team news

Arteta is spoilt for choice when considering his team selection given the Gunners’ commanding performance in Cardiff last weekend, with the Spanish manager admitting he wished he could include more players in the matchday squad.

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka both featured off the bench in the Community Shield, having missed the majority of pre-season following extended post-World Cup breaks.

Despite persistent transfer rumours surrounding Myles Lewis-Skelly during the transfer window, the youngster has started every pre-season match and impressed.

With Rice having only played 45 minutes of match action since the World Cup, it may be likely the England international might not be selected for the starting 11.

Getty

The Gunners travel to face Aston Villa the following week and may prioritise Rice being ready for that fixture.

Rice faced a gruelling schedule during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign and played a total of 69 match across all competitions for club and country.

Christos Tzolis appears certain to get the nod on the left wing, especially after Gabriel Martinelli was omitted from the squad against City amid ongoing speculation over his future.

Arsenal vs Coventry City: What’s been said

Ahead of the opening game, Frank Lampard has expressed his excitement on his return as a Premier League manager.

He said: “As a manager you have to try and improve all the time. Every situation you walk into is different, and I’ve had a lot of good experiences where I hope I’ve progressed in lots of ways.

“One specific thing is my own way of finding my personal balance with things, not being too reactionary to things because this job gives you so many little things to solve during the week.

“I think I understand myself better now with how I want to coach. I feel true to myself, not trying to be anything I’m not.

“When we’re having tough times, I try to be the one with the cool head. 

“When we’re winning lots of games, I try to be the one with the cool head. I think I feel more comfortable within myself in this role and I’m as hungry as ever.”

Meanwhile, Arteta was questioned about what he wants to achieve with his team this season and whether his squad will be able to retain the title.

Following the Community Shield match, he said: “Now, we have to show that we belong to this level and we want to increase and take this football club to a different dimension.”