Arsenal very extremely impressive in the new season’s curtain-raiser, as they routed Manchester City 3-0 in the FA Community Shield this past Sunday. There were not many negatives to speak of, but one of their flashy new summer signings, Bruno Guimaraes, was withdrawn at halftime. The Brazilian midfielder was later seen in the tunnel with a massive icepack attached to his thigh.
There have been no updates on his condition, as of yet, but perhaps manager Mikel Arteta will speak on the status of Guimaraes in his prematch press conference?
Premier League Season Opener FYIs
Arsenal vs Coventry City
Friday, Aug. 21, 8pm BST
Emirates Stadium, London, UK
Arsenal Preview Material: Team News Predicted Starting XI
Result Probability According to Google: Arsenal Win 82% Draw 12% Coventry City Win 6%
Gunners Team News
Most likely that session will be on Thursday, as the Gunners are featured in the very first match of the new Premier League season- a visit from Coventry City on Friday night. Consider Guimaraes a doubt, at least for now. There are two other injury concerns for the reigning league champions, and they are not doubtful. They are confirmed out.
French central defender William Saliba will be sidelined for months, as he recovers from back surgery.
Dutch defender Jurrien Timber is expected to rejoin training relatively soon, as his groin injury heals up, but there is no real public definitive timeline for his return right now.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.