Arsenal started their defence of the Premier League title in model as they cruised to a 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry City.
The Gunners launched their newest signing, centre-back Ezri Konsa, earlier than kick-off following his transfer from Aston Villa, and their defence was barely examined in an encounter they dominated from begin to end.
Regardless of the absence of latest signing Bruno Guimaraes, who reportedly faces weeks on the sidelines with an damage the midfielder sustained within the Neighborhood Defend, Arsenal had no issue constantly chopping aside their guests, whose first recreation again within the prime flight after 25 years away was all the time prone to be a battle.
Any hope Frank Lampard’s Coventry had of a seismic upset was successfully extinguished inside 25 minutes after Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka put Arsenal 2-0 up.
Martin Odegaard’s scuffed end made it 3-0 early within the second half, however there was saving grace for Coventry in that, regardless of additional probabilities for the hosts, they prevented the scoreline from rising ever extra emphatic.
Arsenal make flying begin to title defence
Spectacular summer time recruit Christos Tzolis flashed an effort over the crossbar and Saka noticed a close-range strike deflected large earlier than Arsenal’s early strain inevitably advised, Havertz coolly steering house from Riccardo Calafiori’s sq. cross.
Saka’s end to double the benefit was less complicated as he tapped in after Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth tried to chop out a low cross from Tzolis, however as a substitute solely succeeded in palming the ball into the England winger’s path.
Loum Tchaouna tried to supply a spectacular reply for Coventry with an overhead kick from the sting of the world that flew narrowly over the crossbar.
However there was in any other case little or no to fret David Raya within the Arsenal purpose, and the hosts would have gone into half-time 3-0 forward had Declan Rice been extra correct with a curling long-range effort.
Arsenal solely needed to wait 4 minutes into the second half for the sport to successfully be ended as a contest. Odegaard mishit his effort after being teed up by Ben White, however he nonetheless succeeded in wrong-footing Rushworth, who may solely watch the ball trickle over the road.
Rushworth redeemed himself considerably by tipping over an formidable Myles Lewis-Skelly strike and repelling a Tzolis drive, however it was extra by fortune than any form of defensive solidity that the scoreline retained an air of respectability.
Jack Rudoni headed straight at Raya from shut vary late on as he failed to present Coventry one thing to rejoice on an evening that belonged to Arsenal. The consolation for the brand new boys is that they know nights like these is not going to resolve their battle to remain within the division.
