Arsenal smash Coventry in season opener | 01:44
August 22nd, 2026 8:10 am
Arsenal made the perfect start to their Premier League title defence with a stylish 3-0 win against Coventry in the opening gameof the season on Saturday
Mikel Arteta’s side brushed aside promoted Coventry in emphatic fashion at the Emirates Stadium, underlining their determinationto retain the title.
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Kai Havertz struck early in the first half and Bukayo Saka doubled the lead before Martin Odegaard netted after the interva lto complete Arsenal’s masterclass.
The Gunners have not successfully defended the English title since the 1930s, but Arteta insisted this week his players arehungry for more silverware.
Just 89 days after rounding off their title-winning campaign with a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace in May, the champions showedno signs of being sated by that long-awaited triumph as they put Coventry to the sword.
The only downside for Arsenal was the realisation they have to wait 10 days for their next game at Aston Villa.
Worryingly for Arsenal’s rivals, they are only getting stronger and new signing Ezri Konsa was given a warm welcome when he was presented to fans before kick-off.
The England defender completed his £51 million ($98 million AUD) move from Villa earlier on Friday and could make his debut agains this old club on August 31.
Greek winger Christos Tzolis dazzled on his first league start for Arsenal after his close-season move from Club Brugge.
Fellow new signing Bruno Guimaraes ($142 million AUD) was hardly missed after being sidelined by an injury suffered in last weekend’s Community Shield win over Manchester City.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Frank Lampard, Manager of Coventry City acknowledges the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
**\- Rampant Arsenal -**
Coventry were playing their first Premier League game since 2001 after winning the Championship last season to end their longexile from the top-flight.
Having spent a season in the fourth tier, plunged into administration and twice been forced to ground-share away from Coventryin the 25 years since they were last in the Premier League, the return of Frank Lampard’s side was a feelgood moment.
But Arsenal had no room for sentiment as they dispatched Coventry in merciless style.
In their first home league game since being crowned champions last season, Arsenal strode onto the pitch with the acclaim of the sell-out 60,000 crowd ringing in their ears.
The party atmosphere created by Arsenal’s jubilant fans in north London was a fitting backdrop to a swaggering performance.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal acknowledges the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Tzolis, who provided two assists in the Community Shield, nearly bagged his first Arsenal goal in the opening minutes, firing just over from Odegaard’s pass.
He went close again moments later with a close-range effort that was cleared off the line by Bobby Thomas.
It was no surprise when Arsenal took the lead in ruthless fashion after 15 minutes.
Coventry defender Milan van Ewijk surrendered possession carelessly on the right flank and Riccardo Calafiori pounced, whippingin a cross that Havertz met with a clinical low strike from just inside the penalty area.
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard, left, gestures after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Coventry City in London, Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)Source: AP
Arteta’s rampant team scented blood and went for the kill in the 23rd minute. Rice and Odegaard exchanged passes to work theball out to Tzolis, whose cross was pushed out by Coventry keeper Carl Rushworth into the path of Saka for a simple close-rangefinish.
Coventry had been reduced to helpless bystanders by Arsenal’s ceaseless pressing and clever movement.
If it was not already over, Odegaard put the result beyond doubt in the 49th minute.
Saka and Ben White teamed up to rip through the Coventry defence before Odegaard’s miscued shot from 10 yards scuffed pastRushworth’s weak attempted save.