Nigeria international duo Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka are set to spearhead Coventry City's return to English football's top division when Frank Lampard's side face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.

The match carries enormous significance for Coventry City, who are making their first Premier League appearance since the 2000/01 season — a long-awaited return secured through their promotion from the Sky Bet Championship last term.

Onyeka's key role in promotion

Onyeka was central to Coventry's promotion push after joining the Sky Blues on loan from Brentford in January. The defensive midfielder swiftly became an indispensable figure in Lampard's setup, registering one goal across 14 league appearances during the second half of the campaign.

Now 28, Onyeka will be eager to prove himself at the highest level of English football as Coventry embark on their Premier League adventure.

Awoniyi joins from Nottingham Forest

His Super Eagles teammate Awoniyi arrived at the CBS Arena earlier this week following a permanent transfer from Nottingham Forest. The move brings to an end a four-year spell with Forest for the former Union Berlin striker.

Awoniyi, 29, brings with him meaningful Premier League experience — a commodity Lampard's promoted side will rely on heavily as they bid to establish themselves in the top flight. He spent the final stretch of his time at Forest struggling to hold down a regular starting berth, and will see Coventry as an opportunity to rebuild his career and rediscover his best form.

With Arsenal — one of the Premier League's leading contenders — lying in wait on the opening night, Awoniyi and Onyeka face an immediate and demanding examination of what they can contribute to the Sky Blues' survival campaign.