Arsenal turn to Tzolis and Havertz for Premier League opener against Coventry City

Mikel Arteta has named Kai Havertz in Arsenal’s starting attack for their opening Premier League match against Coventry City, with Bukayo Saka and Tzolis completing a three-man forward line.

The Arsenal manager confirmed his team before the meeting, selecting an XI that also includes England midfielder Declan Rice and captain Martin Ødegaard.

David Raya starts in goal, with Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori forming the defensive unit in front of him.

Rice is joined in midfield by Lewis-Skelly and Ødegaard, while Saka, Tzolis and Havertz make up the attacking trio.

Arsenal’s full line-up is:

David Raya; Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori; Declan Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Martin Ødegaard; Bukayo Saka, Tzolis, Kai Havertz.

Havertz will lead the attack, with Saka providing an established presence on the right side and Tzolis completing the front three. The selection gives Arteta a balanced combination of attacking players for the first match of the Premier League campaign.

Saka remains one of Arsenal’s key attacking options, while Havertz has been chosen to occupy the central role in the side announced by Arteta. Tzolis is also included from the start as Arsenal begin their league programme.

The defensive line features White, Mosquera, Gabriel and Calafiori, with Raya selected as the team’s goalkeeper. Rice, Lewis-Skelly and Ødegaard will operate behind the attacking trio.

Coventry City have also confirmed their starting line-up for the fixture.

Their team is:

Rushworth; van Ewijk, Thomas, Minda, Da Silva; Grimes, Onyeka, Yerin; Tchaouna, Thomas-Asante, Simms.

Rushworth is named in goal, with van Ewijk, Thomas, Minda and Da Silva making up Coventry’s defensive line. Grimes, Onyeka and Yerin are selected in midfield, while Tchaouna, Thomas-Asante and Simms form the attacking group.

The two starting XIs set out the teams’ selections for the opening round of the Premier League, with Arsenal opting for three forwards led by Havertz and Coventry naming Simms, Thomas-Asante and Tchaouna in attack.

Arteta’s decision to include Saka, Tzolis and Havertz together gives Arsenal a clearly defined front three before the match begins. Behind them, Rice and Ødegaard provide experienced midfield options, while Lewis-Skelly is also included in the middle of the team.

The announcement confirms the personnel chosen by both managers for the opening fixture, with Havertz the focal point of Arsenal’s attack and Coventry relying on their named front three.

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