Mikel Arteta shares the real reason why Bruno Guimaraes is missing from Arsenal vs Coventry City

Arsenal have revealed their team news for their Premier League opener against Coventry City, and there is one big absentee.

The Gunners begin their title defence at the Emirates Stadium tonight, and a game against a newly promoted side is always tricky.

Mikel Arteta has named a really strong side to take on the Sky Blues, but Bruno Guimaraes has been left out of the squad.

The Arsenal manager has now revealed why.

Mikel Arteta confirms groin problem for Bruno Guimaraes

Arsenal completed the signing of Guimaraes just a week before the Community Shield.

The Brazilian international played the second half of the friendly against Como and then started the game against Manchester City in Cardiff.

Guimaraes was outstanding in both games, but he had to come off at half-time against Enzo Maresca’s side.

Eagle-eyed Arsenal fans spotted an ice pack around Guimaraes’ thigh as he walked to the bench after the break, and that raised some concerns.

Now, it has been revealed that the injury is serious enough for him to miss the first Premier League game of the season against Coventry.

Speaking about his absence, Arteta said on Sky Sports: “Yeah, he had a slight tension in his groin, and yeah, he hasn’t done a pre-season. He had only four or five days before that game.

“It’s a lot of new stuff for him as well, and we need to take him day by day.”

There is no official timeline yet, but Luke Edwards revealed on X earlier today that Guimaraes could be out of action for a ‘few weeks’.