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Arsenal team to face Aston Villa: No change from a 3-0 victory over Coventry. Konsa and Bruno G start from the bench.

It's matchday! Arsenal will be hoping to maintain their winning start to the new season as they visit Villa Park to take on Aston Villa in Matchweek 2 of the Premier League tonight (kick-off: 21.00 Spanish time).

Bruno G could be handed his PL debut for us after missing out on our 3-0 victory over Coventry on the opening day due to a minor groin injury sustained during the Community Shield, but he has returned to training since. Konsa could also make his Arsenal debut after having a week's training with the squad under his belt. Timber (groin) is closing in on a return, bit this game comes too early for him, while Saliba (back) is a long-term absentee. Jesus, Vieira, and Martinelli will not be involved as they wait for their moves away from the Emirates to be completed.

Villa suffered exodus this summer, including now a Gunner Ezri Konza. Watkins is also on his way out, reportedly joining Martinelli at Al Hilal. Unai Emery's side will also be without Gomes as he starts a 3-match ban as he picked up a red card during their 4-0 defeat to Brighton. Onana is set to miss the entire campaign with an ACL injury, as well as another new boy in Manzambi. Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo are doubts, while new recruits Jackson, Suzuki, Wan-Bissaka and Goretzka could all debut.

It is unlikely that our hosts would repeat the poor performance in the opening weekend against Brighton as they now have reinforcements in place and have had a time to rectify some of the issues. However, hopefully we can get another statement win to send a message to our title rivals.

This game will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event, as well as beIN Sports English 1, SuperSport Premier League, Stan Sport and USA Network. The referee will be Jarred Gillett, with James Bell on VAR. We will be playing in the third (yellow) kit. 🟡 COYG

Champions League League Phase:
We will face
Real Madrid (H)
Bayern Munich (A)
Dortmund (H)
Real Betis (A)
Lille (H)
Napoli (A)
Sabah (H)
Slavia Prague (A)

Carabao Cup 3rd Round:
Arsenal have been drawn away against Ipswich

Arsenal got off to a perfect start as they began their defence of the Premier League title. We dispatched newly promoted Coventry City in a comfortable 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium last night with a dominating performance. It was a statement of intent from the Gunners as they aim at the back-to-back title.

Our latest signing, Ezri Konsa was presented in front of the home crowd before the match. The Emirates Stadium was buoyant with expectations for the new Premier League champaign. It took us 15 minutes to open the scoring. Tzolis was heavily involved in the build-up before Havertz swept Calafiori's pass into the net. In 23rd minute, Saka doubled our lead. Once again, Tzolis was involved, who was unlucky not to claim an assist as his low cross was parried away by Rushworth into Saka's path.

4 minutes into the 2nd half, the game was virtually put to bed as Odegaard made it 3-0. Saka passed the ball to overlapping Ben White, who cut back to Odegaard. The Norwegian has already surpassed his last season's goal tally (1), scoring 2 goals in as many games. We sorely missed these movements involving the three last season due to their injuries. On 68 minutes, Saka and Rice were replaced by Madueke and Zubimendi. In 76th minute, Tzolis and Odegaard made way to Merino and Eze. In 81st minute, the last sub Hincapie replaced Calafiori to ensure a clean sheet. Gyokeres ended up as an unused sub.

It was an impressive performance from the reigning champions. 3 goals from open play with a clean sheet. We amassed 20 shots, of which 6 were on target, a stark contrast from the shot-shy last season. Tzolis is the big difference, who registered 4 shots in this game. The Greek is a more direct player and plays on the front foot when he has the ball, always looking to make things happen.

Odegaard was named MOTM by Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher, while Tzolis was Arsenal fans' voted MOTM. We go with the latter. The new signing is proving to be an instant hit among fans as Arteta predicted.

Arteta does not expect Bruno G to be out for weeks as some reports claim. Hopefully, the Brazilian midfielder will be back soon. Martinelli was conspicuous by his absence again. He was also absent from training during the week, which could be due to a knock or some fitness issue.

We have 9 days to prepare for our trip to Villa Park in Matchweek 2 of the Premier League. All eyes will be on Konsa, who could make his Arsenal debut against his former club. However, it is more likely that Mosquera and White will continue at centre-back and right-back as they should be fresh from a 9-day break, which will become a rare thing once other competitions start. But before that, we will learn our opponents in this season's Champions League. The league phase draw will take place from 18.00 Spanish time on Thursday, 27 August. Watch this space!

Arsenal team to play Coventry City: Just 2 changes from the Community Shield win. Rice and Saka replace Bruno G and Madueke. None of Bruno G, Jesus, or Martinelli is on the bench, but Nwaneri makes the bench.

It's official now! Arsenal announced that Ezri Konsa has joined us from Aston Villa on a reportedly 4-year contract with an optional12-month extension. The fee is believed to be an initial £51 million with £4 million add-on. Some doubt if we really needed another defender and in particular if such a big fee is justifiable for a 28-year old. However, with Saliba expected to spend "an extensive period" on the sidelines, and Timber currently out injured, a signing of a proven versatile defender was necessary, considering Ben White's injury record. Welcome to the Arsenal, Ezri.

It's matchday! The reigning champions Arsenal will start their title defence with a home clash against newly promoted Coventry City in the opening day of the Premier League season tonight (kick-off: 21.00 Spanish time).

We will remain without Timber or Saliba. Despite some reports, Timber is still a few weeks away from joining the first team in training. We are clearly after a defensive reinforcement, strongly linked with a move for Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa. Bruno G is an injury doubt after coming off the pitch at half time against Man City. Arteta confirmed that the Brazilian is progressing well, but Rice is expected to start in his place tonight. Saka is also ready to be involved, but whether he will start remains to be seen.

Frank Lampard's side will be without Haji Wright, who scored 17 league goals in their Championship title winning season, as well as Woolfenden.

It's always tricky to face a newly promoted side in the first week of the season as they carry the momentum from their successful season, but hopefully, we can get off to a positive start for the back-to-back Premier League glory.

This game will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League/Main Event, as well as beIN Sports English 1, SuperSport Premier League, Stan Sport and NBC/USA Network. The referee will be Tom Bramall, with Jarred Gillett on VAR. We will be playing in the home (red & white) kit. 🔴⚪ COYG

The Premier League champions Arsenal lifted the first trophy of the season as they thumped the FA Cup winners Man City 3-0 in the Community Shield yesterday at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

It only took us 23 seconds to open the scoring. The goal came at the end of a fluent team movement as MLS, surrounded by 3 City players, picked out a pass to slip Calafiori through on goal. In 28th minute, Havertz doubled our lead. Tzolis headed Odegaard's lofted cross back across goal to the German at the far post, who expertly headed the ball beyond Donnarumma.

We started the 2nd half with the same intensity, which was paid off immediately as we extended our lead to 3 goals in 48th minute. Once again, Tzolis was a provider. Odgaard finished with composure, coolly slotting into the empty net after sitting Donnarumma.

Stats may suggest Man City's dominance, with 59% possession against our 41%, 12 attempts 3gainst our 9, but with the same number of shots (5) on target. However, we topped them in the only stat that mattered, the number of goals. Arteta admitted that some players were short of fitness, but they made up for it with a desire and determination to win.

Despite Arteta's confidence going into this game, we were sceptical or even worried after indifferent pre-season results and uninspiring performances, not least dreadful defence. But Mosquera and White were near flawless yesterday. Even Calafiori put in a decent defensive shift. Raya made a massive difference to our defensive performance, pulling off a couple of superb saves. Rice, who came on at half time for Bruno G., looked rusty, but hopefully, he will be up to speed before our Premier League campaign starts.

Odegaard was named official Man of the Match for his all-round contribution to the victory. In particular, he popped up in and around our box to cut out dangerous passes. Meanwhile, Arsenal fans' voted MOTM was Tsolis. He is already capturing fans' hearts. He was also the only forward player who completed 90 minutes. Obviously, his 2-week head start to pre-season at Club Brugge is helping his fitness. The rise of Tsolis only fuelled speculations about Martinelli's departure, who was not included in the matchday squad yesterday. Arteta blamed the current rules to limit the number of the squad, but the fact that Dowman was named on the bench ahead of Martinelli (when we already had Madueke and Saka as right wingers) raised questions. Saka was disappointing, shooting into the side netting when he should have crossed to a couple of waiting players. Then a really good shooting chance was skied over the bar.

They say it's a glorified friendly, but we made a statement by convincingly beating one of our title rivals, however poor they were on the day. Hopefully, we can maintain the same hunger throughout the 2026/27 season. Now we have only 5 days to prepare for the season opener, the welcome of newly promoted Coventry City to the Emirates on Friday night. A tricky game against a club fresh from a successful season awaits us.