'Evolving': Mikel Arteta drops injury update on £75m Arsenal star ahead of Coventry game
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on midfielder Bruno Guimaraes ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.
The Gunners produced a statement 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend. Guimaraes made his competitive club debut against the Cityzens, but was substituted at the break.
The Brazilian was spotted on the bench with an ice pack on his thigh, and when asked for an update in today’s presser, Arteta seemed optimistic that the midfielder could be involved against Coventry.
He said (via Sky Sports): “Let’s see how it is. It’s evolving really well, but let’s see for tomorrow.”
Guimaraes has been one of the Premier League’s best-performing midfielders. He was brilliant last campaign with 15 goal contributions from 29 league appearances for Newcastle United.
The 28-year-old did suffer a hamstring injury, which ruled him out for a couple of months. Ahead of Friday’s league opener, Arsenal could be slightly cautious with their summer signing.
Guimaraes only arrived during the final part of pre-season after a lengthy transfer saga, and we won’t be surprised if he starts on the bench on the back of his minor knock against Man City.
The £75 million signing was recently paired alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was brilliant in the centre of the park, providing an assist for Riccardo Calafiori’s goal after just 24 seconds.
Lewis-Skelly has ended the transfer speculation with his performances, and he could be paired up with Declan Rice when the Gunners host newly-promoted Coventry in the curtain-raiser.
Arteta could make minimal changes from the convincing win over Man City in Cardiff. Aside from Guimaraes, Bukayo Saka could be a candidate to replace Noni Madueke on the right wing.
Arsenal should be firm favourites to beat the Sky Blues at the Emirates. They are unbeaten in the last five meetings, but this will be the first league encounter between the two since February 2001.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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