Arsenal began their Premier League title defence with a commanding 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City, with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard getting the goals at the Emirates Stadium.
The opening night challenge proved as difficult as expected, although the visitors gave their Nigerian contingent a taste of Premier League football on their return to the top flight.
Frank Onyeka started for Frank Lampard’s side and completed a combative appearance in midfield, while new signing Taiwo Awoniyi was introduced in the second half as Coventry searched for a way back into the contest.
Havertz opens the champions’ account
Kai Havertz scored the first goal of the 2026/27 EPL
season.
Mikel Arteta’s side needed only 15 minutes to break through. Riccardo Calafiori worked the ball into Kai Havertz’s path inside the box, and the German produced a composed finish into the bottom-right corner to give Arsenal the lead.
Coventry tried to remain competitive, with Loum Tchaouna testing Arsenal’s defence with a long range effort, but the champions continued to dictate possession and territory.
The pressure brought a second goal in the 23rd minute.
Christos Tzolis saw his effort inside the box saved by Carl Rushworth, but the Coventry goalkeeper could not prevent Bukayo Saka from reacting quickest to the rebound, fired into the middle of the net to make it 2-0.
Bukayo Saka scored the second goal of the season for Arsenal against Coventry city. PhotoCredit: Getty Images
The visitors had moments of promise before half time, with Tchaouna firing narrowly over from the edge of the box, but Arsenal remained in control.
The decisive third goal arrived four minutes after the restart when Ben White split the Coventry defence with a superb through ball for Martin Odegaard, who reacted quickly inside the box before sending a low finish beyond Rushworth.
Coventry goalkeeper Rushworth then kept the scoreline respectable, producing an excellent save to deny Tzolis in the 66th minute before another superb stop prevented Riccardo Calafiori from adding a fourth.
The night was tough for Frank Onyeka, one of hard work against an Arsenal midfield that controlled much of the contest.
Frank Onyeka. PhotoCredit: Getty Iamges
The Nigeria international was involved in several challenges he was eventually cautioned only in the sense of the referee stopping play for a foul in the 83rd minute, before Coventry replaced Loum Tchaouna with Gustavo Hamer.
Taiwo Awoniyi, meanwhile, made his debut, he entered the contest in the 70th minute, replacing Ellis Simms.
The former Nottingham Forest striker had little opportunity to influence the match as Arsenal’s defence remained firmly in control.
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Coventry managed only one recorded effort on target, a late Jack Rudoni header that David Raya comfortably saved. Arsenal, by contrast, finished with five shots on target, underlining their superiority.
Arsenal saw out the closing stages without serious danger, with Mikel Arteta making a series of substitutions as his side managed the result.
The victory continues what has been an encouraging start to Arsenal’s campaign after their 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City last weekend.
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