Arsenal 3-0 Coventry City: Havertz, Saka & Ødegaard secure opening win for Gunners

Arsenal made a flying start to their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 thumping of newly-promoted Coventry City in the season opener at the Emirates Stadium.

Match Report

The Gunners showed their readiness to go again with an impressive demolition of Man City in the Community Shield last weekend and they sent another statement to their rivals for the crown with this demonstration of dominance.

Once again new signing Christos Tzolis shone. The Greece international notched two assists at the Principality Stadium and was involved in Arsenal's first two goals on his Premier League debut, first winning the ball back for Riccardo Calafiori to tee up Kai Havertz and then sending in the cross Coventry 'keeper Carl Rushworth diverted into Bukayo Saka's path. "What a left-winger Arsenal have got," purred Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher on co-commentary.

Coventry failed to make a tackle in the first half - they could not get near Mikel Arteta's men. It did not get much better for them after the interval, with Martin Odegaard's miscued finish adding a third for Arsenal just four minutes into the second period.

With Ben White, Saka and Odegaard combining brilliantly through the right channel, Tzolis electric on the left, and Havertz looking sharp ahead of some slick midfield play from Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal already look up to speed and formidable.

Their defence was barely tested but Ezri Konsa's pre-match welcome, following his £55m move from Aston Villa, was a reminder they have brought even greater strength and depth to that department, too. Tougher tests are to come, but they are going to take some stopping.

Coventry, meanwhile, will be relieved they do not have to face Arsenal again until April. They host Hull City next weekend in a fixture which will carry far more significance for their season.

Match Events

15' GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Coventry City (Kai Havertz)

23' GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Coventry City (Bukayo Saka)

49' GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Coventry City (Martin Ødegaard)

Line-ups

Arsenal XI: David Raya, Ødegaard, Rice, Gabriel, Havertz, Ben White, Saka, Calafiori, Christos Tzolis, Cristhian Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly

Subs: Kepa, Merino, Viktor Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, Martín Zubimendi, Madueke, Hincapie, Nwaneri, Max Dowman

Coventry City XI: Matt Grimes, Jay Dasilva, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Frank Onyeka, Milan van Ewijk, Ellis Simms, Loum Tchaouna, Aurèle Amenda, Bobby Thomas, Carl Rushworth, Caleb Yirenkyi

Subs: Ben Wilson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Joel Latibeaudiere, Gustavo Hamer, Victor Torp, Liam Kitching, Josh Eccles, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Jack Rudoni