🚨 Arsenal set down PL title defence marker against Coventry | OneFootball

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has been speaking post-match to Sky Sports: “We looked good, but there are things we could have done better. We could have scored more and created more. We can be even sharper with the last pass - I had a few where I have to give it better - then we can score more!"

Mikel Arteta's latest Premier League win puts him alongside some greats

On this occasion, the xG doesn't lie

FULL TIME - ARSENAL 3-0 COVENTRY

It's an unhappy return to the top flight for Coventry, who are soundly beaten at the Emirates. Arsenal showing again why they're the early favourites to retain the title with a clinical display. The champions will take some beating on this evidence.

CHANCE!

Just as the board goes up to show four minutes' added time, Eze tees up Merino for a low drive which Rushworth handles easily

Changes for Arsenal as Tzolis receives a standing ovation from the Emirates when coming off for Eze. Merino also on in place of Ødegaard

CHANCE!

Coventry still having a go with Thomas firing a daisy cutter just wide of goal which goes through Mosquera's legs, leading to calls for a potential corner, but there's no actual contact

He's been even livelier after the break!

CHANCE!

Rushworth continuing to be kept busy as Tzolis goes one better with a snapshot after the ball is half-cleared to him

CHANCE!

Calafiori plays the ball to the middle of the box, where Ødegaard brings it down and shapes to shoot but Tzolis is also vying to pull the trigger and it takes a deflection wide

CHANCE!

Lewis-Skelly is teed up on the edge of the box for a first-time hit which Rushworth does well to tip over the bar. Arsenal are definitely in the mood tonight!

The Norway international is officially in exalted company!

GOAL! ARSENAL 3-0 COVENTRY

Ødegaard triples the Gunners' lead with a close-range effort which Rushworth makes a meal of in attempting to keep it out

SECOND HALF

Back to it...

It turns out 2-0 is the most dangerous score line for anyone other than Arsenal.

HALF TIME

It's as you'd expect heading into the break at the Emirates, where the hosts have taken a commanding lead and look entirely in control.

CHANCE!

Rice goes for a trademark hit from the edge of the box but sees his effort fly just to the left of the target

CHANCE!

That would have been some strike from Tchaouna, who sends an overhead kick just beyond Raya's crossbar. Coventry may be two down but they are still playing some decent stuff.

GOAL! ARSENAL 2-0 COVENTRY

It's more of the same for the Gunners as Saka pounces to turn in the rebound after Tzolis' initial effort was saved.

It just had to be him, didn't it?

GOAL! ARSENAL 1-0 COVENTRY

We have lift-off! Havertz scores the opening goal of the season! The Germany international rolls a tidy finish after being picked out by Calafiorni following good work by Tzolis in the build-up to win possession back off Van Ewijk.

CHANCE!

Saka is picked out in the box by Tzolis and brings the ball down before firing towards goal, where Amenda is able to block it for a corner

CHANCE!

Tzolis has been the Gunners' man of pre-season and fancies his chances with a long-range effort but it's off target

KICK OFF

We're underway at the Emirates as the new season is officially off and running.

Ezri Konsa's unveiling ahead of kick-off gave home fans a huge lift

📸 HENRY NICHOLLS - AFP or licensors

The omens aren't great for Frank Lampard's newcomers ahead of tonight's opener.

Team news has just landed at the Emirates and this is how both sides are shaping up

Mikel Arteta's side head into their title defence in fine form after schooling Manchester City in the Community Shield and making a host of signing. Speaking of the latter, the Gunners confirmed Ezri Konsa's arrival from Aston Villa earlier today.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League's opening game for 2026/27. The fun starts all over again from tonight as champions Arsenal host Coventry City on their first top-flight involvement in 25 years