Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may field his ideal lineup when Coventry City arrive at the Emirates on Friday to kick off the 2026/27 Premier League campaign, assuming he secures his remaining transfer targets.
The north London side signalled their title ambitions with a dominant 3-0 victory over Manchester City in Sunday’s Community Shield.
Two significant arrivals have strengthened Arteta’s squad: Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has arrived from Newcastle in a £75million deal, while Greek winger Christos Tzolis joined from Club Brugge for approximately £34million. Several players have departed, with Leandro Trossard moving to Besiktas, Jakub Kiwior joining Porto, Karl Hein transferring to Werder Bremen and Christian Norgaard completing a switch to Everton.
The club continues to pursue defensive reinforcements, having seen interest in Ezri Konsa rejected by Aston Villa. Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, now at Bayer Leverkusen, has emerged as an alternative target. Up front, Arsenal are reportedly focused on Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez.
Goalkeeper David Raya is set to start between the posts for the season opener despite competition from Kepa Arrizabalaga and recently-signed free agent Illan Meslier.
In defence, William Saliba’s injury means Cristhian Mosquera will combine with Gabriel at centre-back. The attempted move for Konsa fell through due to Villa’s £60million valuation, making Quansah a more realistic option at around £43million. The Leverkusen player would initially fill the right-back position to compensate for Jurrien Timber’s ongoing groin problem. Ben White, who began Sunday’s match, is still building up his sharpness and will likely begin on the substitutes’ bench. Piero Hincapie completed a permanent transfer from Leverkusen during the summer, though Riccardo Calafiori has been preferred at left-back.
The midfield appears particularly strong following Guimaraes’ acquisition. The Brazilian international will join Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in the centre of the park. Although Myles Lewis-Skelly began the Community Shield fixture, the young player’s potential departure means Rice should secure the starting role. Reiss Nelson remains in talks over a move to West Ham, while Martin Zubimendi and Fabio Vieira could also leave, with the latter potentially returning to Hamburg on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell.
Up front, Kai Havertz occupied the centre-forward position against City and found the net, though neither the German nor Viktor Gyokeres have fully satisfied Arteta’s requirements. With interest in former City favourite Alvarez at Atletico cooling, Arsenal have shifted focus toward Osimhen. The Nigerian marksman, also linked with Tottenham this summer, would provide a potent option at number nine. Bukayo Saka retains his place on the right flank, with new arrival Tzolis preferred on the left.
Among potential departures, Galatasaray have expressed interest in Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri, while Gabriel Jesus has been deemed surplus to requirements.
Arsenal’s ideal lineup to face Coventry: Raya; Quansah, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard; Saka, Osimhen, Tzolis.