Guimaraes misses Arsenal opener with groin injury as Arteta urges caution
Arsenal’s new £75 million signing is left out of the squad for the Coventry City fixture after sustaining a knock during the Community Shield final.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that new signing Bruno Guimaraes was omitted from the squad for the club’s Premier League opener against Coventry City due to a groin injury. The Brazilian midfielder was not named in the matchday list for Friday’s fixture at the Emirates Stadium, marking a brief interruption to his immediate integration into the first team.
Guimaraes, who joined the club for a fee of £75 million, made his debut in Arsenal’s 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City. He was substituted at half-time during that match, and Arteta later described the issue as a "slight tension in his groin." The manager noted that the midfielder had limited pre-season preparation, having only four or five days before the Shield final, and stated that the club needs to manage his return "bit by bit."
In Guimaraes’ absence, Myles Lewis-Skelly started in midfield alongside Declan Rice. The starting lineup for the opener featured Raya in goal, with a back four of White, Gabriel, Mosquera, and Calafiori. Martin Odegaard operated in the midfield, while Bukayo Saka, Tzolis, and Kai Havertz formed the attacking line. Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi were named among the substitutes, as was Ethan Nwaneri, who has been linked with a transfer.
The squad omission also highlighted ongoing movement within the club, with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus absent from the list. Arsenal are reportedly looking to offload the pair before the transfer window closes on 1 September. Meanwhile, the club confirmed the signing of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £51 million. The England international signed a four-year deal and could make his debut against his former club.
Arteta’s injury concerns extend beyond Guimaraes, with defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba also missing. Timber was sidelined from the FIFA World Cup due to a groin problem, while Saliba suffered a back injury during France’s fixtures in North America. The arrival of Konsa provides immediate cover for the defensive line as the season begins.
In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Arteta had indicated uncertainty regarding Guimaraes’ availability, stating, "Let's see how he is. He's evolving really well, but let's see for tomorrow." The manager’s cautious approach reflects a broader strategy to manage player fitness during a congested start to the campaign.
