Arsenal began their Premier League title defense with a convincing 3-0 victory over visiting Coventry City.
On Friday evening, in the season opener.
Arsenal dominated from the opening minutes, despite the absence of their new Brazilian signing, Bruno Guimarães.
Bukayo Saka nearly opened the scoring in the seventh minute, but the Coventry defense cleared his shot for a corner kick.
In the 15th minute, Riccardo Calafiori won the ball before sending a low cross toward Kai Havertz,
Havertz fired it straight into the net. Eight minutes later, Saka added the second goal, capitalizing on the goalkeeper’s mistake in handling a cross.
For its part, Coventry City failed to pose any real threat to Spanish goalkeeper David Raya.
Conversely, Declan Rice nearly scored the third goal before the end of the first half, but his shot missed the target.
Early in the second half, Martin Ødegaard extended Arsenal’s lead in the 49th minute, following up on a cross with a direct shot that found the back of the net.
The Premier League champions maintained their lead until the final whistle.
Arsenal will face Aston Villa on August 31, while Coventry will take on Hull City on August 29.
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