Champs Arsenal Punish Premier League New Bo…

Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

Defending champions Arsenal opened their Premier League campaign in fine style after defeating newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night.

Teams: Arsenal v Coventry City
Result: 3-0
Scorers: Havertz (15′), Saka (23′), Odegaard (49′)

Declan Rice came into the Arsenal side for new signing Bruno Guimaraes following last week’s Community Shield win over Manchester City, while new signing Christos Tzolis made his league debut on the left side of the Gunners’ attack.

The Gunners got off to the perfect start when Riccardo Calafiori picked up the ball on left side before playing a well-weighted cross into the feet of Kai Havertz, who sent a first-time finish into the bottom corner to open his account for the campaign.

Eight minutes later, Mikel Arteta’s men were able to secure a second goal when goalkeeper Carl Rushworth could only parry Tzolis’ cross into the path of Bukayo Saka, who made no mistake from three-yards out to double the lead.

The visitors, meanwhile, were unable to get the ball off the reigning champions in the first half and failed to come out of their defensive approach despite conceding two goals in the opening 25 minutes of the first half.

Arsenal showed no signs of taking their foot off the pedal in the second half as they bagged a third goal inside the opening five minutes when captain Martin Odegaard got his name on the score-sheet by bundling the ball home from close-range.

The Gunners were able to move the ball around with ease as the second half went on, with Arteta introducing Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke to freshen up their approach while City boss Frank Lampard gave a debut to Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

City had to wait until the final five minutes for their first big chance of the contest when Jack Rudoni made a late run into the box to meet a well-weighted cross, but his headed effort sailed straight into the arms of David Raya, who had a comfortable evening between the sticks to claim his first clean sheet.

Key Performer:

Martin Odegaard kept the Gunners attack ticking throughout the evening, setting up teammates and carving open the City defence while he also got his name on the score-sheet early in the second half.

Next Three Fixtures:

Arsenal: Aston Villa (A), Chelsea (A), Sunderland (A)
Coventry City: Hull City (H), Manchester City (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (H)

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