Frank Lampard reflected on Coventry City's defeat at Arsenal.
FRANK Lampard wants Coventry City to stay positive following the club’s 3-0 defeat at champions Arsenal in the opening game of the Premier League season.
The Sky Blues suffered defeat on their return to the top-flight after 25 years away as Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all found the net for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.
Lampard handed Premier League debuts to seven players while eight of last season’s squad featured in Coventry’s starting XI against Arsenal.
And Lampard admits his side must keep mistakes to a minimum and stressed the need for his players to quickly appreciate the quality of the division.
Lampard said: “It was a tough night, disappointed to lose but they played like champions – they were the best team in the Premier League last season and we felt that.
“We started quite bright but you live and learn, if you make any tiny mistake and give them too much space, teams will hurt you and the ball will be in the back of your net.
“There were a lot of Premier League debuts in our team. The massive thing for us is to be positive. It’s a big lesson for the lads of what this level looks like at the top end.
“I never critique mistakes, I will critique body language and work ethic but that wasn’t the case. We have to minimise mistakes but I won’t critique the players.
“Maybe the size of the occasion and the atmosphere, it’s different at this level. We have to come to terms with that very quickly because you have to be able to handle that.”
Lampard handed a second Coventry debut to Gustavo Hamer from the bench while Taiwo Awoniyi made his first appearance for the club as a second-half substitute.
And the Sky Blues boss insists his side can take plenty of lessons from their opening day defeat.
Lampard added: “I can look through the team and see some good performances and good application.
“We’ll take the lessons, the dressing room is fine and they better be fine because this is a tough game for the first game of the season.
“If there’s acclimatisation to the Premier League, there it is.
“When you go and and two down it’s difficult and when you concede the third early in the second half it’s particularly difficult.
“It’s an experience for our players. We need to take the lessons and remain positive.”
Coventry are next in action against Plymouth Argyle in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, August 25 with kick-off at 7.45pm at Home Park.
[##### Support community journalism by making a contribution.
The 's team of journalists provide a trusted source news, sport, entertainment and events going on in your area and issues which matter to you - both via our free weekly print edition and daily updates on our website.
Every contribution, however big or small, you can make will help us continue to do that now and in the future.
Thanks for reading this and the .](https://accounts.axate.io/contribution?domain=/&pub_id=&url_from=/?tracker=axate_banner&isIframe=false&isContribution=true&type=simple-reg)
Are you on Facebook?
Like or follow our Facebook page - facebook.com/CovObserver to get daily news updates straight to your news feed.