Arsenal made light work of newly promoted Coventry as the champions began the defence of their title with minimal fuss to go top of the table.
The Gunners were handed the chance to kick off the season and needed only a quarter of an hour to score the first Premier League goal of 2026/27 as Kai Havertz got the ball rolling at the Emirates. The German, who only started seven league games last term as injuries plagued him, was able to sweep home first time after being found by Riccardo Calafiori, who seized on a Coventry error.
Rampant start at the Emirates
Arsenal's second came just seven minutes later as Bukayo Saka was able to tap into an empty net from seven yards. Coventry were outclassed throughout and it would take them 85 minutes before they registered an effort on target.
The hosts only needed three minutes of the second-half to score their third as Saka and Ben White teamed up down the right to eventually find Martin Odegaard, whose scuffed shot was still enough to beat Carl Rushworth, who should've done better.
Coventry were able to prevent the floodgates opening as they kept Arsenal scoreless for the final 40 minutes in the capital, even if they offered nothing in attack. Easier assignments await, starting next week against Hull, whilst the Gunners know tougher tests are to come.
Five talking points from the Emirates
It is easy to say they were playing a newly promoted team, but Arsenal wore their champion tag with a real swagger. It is the first time since 2004 that the Gunners began the year as the Premier League's premier club - on that occasion they hammered Everton 4-1.
22 years on and they looked equally as impressive, taking control from minute one and sending an ominous message to the rest of the league. Tougher tests are of course to come, but Arsenal could not have hoped for better on opening night.
Coventry's tough first day
They say every day is a school day, and the Premier League new boys were dealt a tough lesson. They claimed the Championship title last term but after only 22 minutes in north London were two goals down and, effectively, having to look to next week for their first hope of points.
A clearance that was blocked ultimately led to Arsenal's opener, no doubt Milan van Ewijk will wonder why he didn't just boot the ball into Row Z. Most promoted teams often have to be on the receiving end of a one-sided encounter in the opening weeks to truly understand what they're up against - Coventry had theirs on day one.
Havertz takes the initiative
The German endured an injury-hit campaign last year but was straight back into the team once fit, scoring in the Champions League final. On Friday Havertz got the nod over Viktor Gyokeres, who was sat watching from the bench when he saw his team-mate sweep home the Arsenal opener on 15 minutes.
A lot of the Arsenal questions have been answered, but the champions are seemingly still undecided over whether Havertz, a false 9, is the man who can take them to the next level ahead of a natural striker in Gyokeres. Goals will ultimately prove the biggest decider and Havertz has the starting berth, which he looks set to keep.
Odegaard's classy reminder
Once upon a time Odegaard was Arsenal's undisputed No 10, everything good about their attack ran through him. Then he sustained the odd injury and Arteta continued to invest in players who were capable of filling his playmaking role, and all of a sudden there's been questions over the Norwegian's future.
It almost felt as though the ex-Real Madrid star knew that people had raised the debate over whether he should command the start he did several years ago, but based on this performance few, if any, can argue that Odegaard remains one of the classiest operators in England, let alone Arsenal. Ironically his strike which saw him get on the scoresheet was perhaps his worst touch of the night, still, they all count.
MLS looks a stayer
Ever since the news broke that Myles Lewis-Skelly had been offered to Manchester United and Chelsea the versatile midfielder has been an ever present. Arteta insists he wants to keep the academy star and, despite the reports linking him with an exit, Lewis-Skelly looks every bit part of the fabric.
He played in the latter weeks of pre-season, started in the Community Shield win and played from the beginning against Coventry. Seeing him leave would no come as a massively surprise. The same though can't be said for Ethan Nwaneri.
