**Frank Lampard** is pushing his players to go into their first fixture of the campaign with no fear.
The **Coventry City** manager led the _Sky Blues_ to a historic season as they finished at the top of the **Championship** with 95 points, reaching the top tier of English football for the first time since 2001.
But it will be an altogether different task to take the team to safety by the end of May 2027.
·**‘I want to show we're not coming with fear’**
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The group could be in for a reality check on Friday evening as they travel to the **Emirates Stadium**, the home of the newly crowned **Premier League** champions. **Arsenal** finally got over the line in the race for the top spot after three successive seasons of 2nd placed finishes, and they also reached the final of the **Champions League**. The board have backed **Mikel Arteta** with more recruitment over the summer, and a 3-0 triumph over **Manchester City** in the **Community Shield** sent a statement.
Now, the _Gunners_ want to get their title defence off on the right note with a win in front of their fans. It is a pressurised environment for **Coventry** to step into, but they cannot crumble under the lights.
_“The last thing I’d like to have after a game against_ **_Arsenal_**_, or any team like this, is a regret of our approach and that we didn’t give it everything. If we do that as a team, then we will compete in this league and show teams what we are. If we don’t, we’ll be disappointed. I’ll remind the players of that._
_"I want to show in our performance and how we approach the game that we're not coming into it with fear. We respect Arsenal greatly, but it doesn't mean you play with too much respect that you are passive. We can hopefully show we are a good team that want to do something this year."_