Transfer developments, Konsa verdict, and more: Everything that could happen at Arsenal this week

The traditional season curtain-raiser is done and dusted, and now the season proper is set to kick off, with Arsenal taking part in the opening match of the Premier League campaign against newly promoted Coventry City on Friday night.

The Gunners strolled to their 18th Community Shield by emphatically dispatching Manchester City on Sunday at the Millennium Stadium. Goals from Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard saw off the Citizens, condemning Enzo Maresca to defeat in his first competitive game as Pep Guardiola's successor.

After a sticky pre-season and a lack of incoming transfer activity in the forward areas, this result did a lot to improve the vibes and morale around N5 heading into the new campaign. However, more work needs to be done in the market to ensure Mikel Arteta has all the tools he needs to launch another assault on the Premier League title, and this week could be critical in that regard.

With that said, here's a look at everything that might happen at Arsenal in the next seven days.

Development in pursuit of an attacker

Gabriel Martinelli was left out of Arsenal's squad for the trip to Cardiff, which certainly points to the Gunners still being intent on addressing their left wing issues. As good as Christos Tzolis has been thus far, Arsenal still need a ceiling raiser in this position.

It's not clear who this player could be yet, but with this being the second-to-last full week of the window, it could become clear within the next seven days. Dominoes are starting to fall in the market, and thus, some level of movement can be expected to materialise very shortly.

Bradley Barcola remains an option as Liverpool continue to dilly-dally in their negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain. It remains to be seen whether PSG will be willing to lower their price demands, but having left Barcola out of recent squads, it looks as though an exit is inevitable.

Elsewhere, Kenan Yildiz and Nico Williams remain plausible, but flawed, options.

Ezri Konsa transfer verdict

Arsenal's pursuit of a right-sided defender is yet to be concluded, despite weeks of speculation linking them to several players in this position. Reports emerged late last week that Jarell Quansah is on the Gunners' radar, although the credible HandOfArsenal claimed that the Bayer Leverkusen man is still seen as an alternative to Ezri Konsa.

Clearly, Konsa is the priority, and Arsenal are waiting for Aston Villa's verdict on whether they'll budge on their £60 million valuation. This verdict should arrive very shortly, with the season now upon us.

In fact, it should be obvious by the end of this week if Villa are prepared to sanction Konsa's departure for less than £60 million. If they are, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Arsenal wrap the deal up quickly. If they're not, then the Gunners will likely turn to one of their alternatives, and it could be Quansah.

The season will finally kick-off

Away from transfers, this week marks the start of the new season. Arsenal will begin the defence of their crown, and they'll do so against Frank Lampard's Coventry, who will be celebrating their first match back in the top flight since 2001.

The West Midlands team destroyed the Championship last term, but they're almost certainly set for a relegation dogfight this season. This should be a routine victory for Arsenal.

Nine gruelling months of blood, sweat and tears are set to ensue, and they could be even more special for Gunners supporters than the previous 12 months.

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