Gunners cruise previous new boys in flying begin to title defence

Arsenal started their defence of the Premier League title in type as they cruised to a 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry Metropolis.

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 Group Protect, Arsenal had no issue constantly slicing aside their guests, whose first sport again within the high flight after 25 years away was at all times prone to be a wrestle.

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 possibilities for the hosts, they prevented the scoreline from rising ever extra emphatic.

Arsenal make flying begin to title defence

Spectacular summer season recruit Christos Tzolis flashed an effort over the crossbar and Saka noticed a close-range strike deflected huge earlier than Arsenal’s early stress inevitably informed, Havertz coolly steering house from Riccardo Calafiori’s sq. move.

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 objective, 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 bold Myles Lewis-Skelly strike and repelling a Tzolis drive, nevertheless 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 offer 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 determine their struggle to remain within the division.