Arsenal vs Coventry LIVE: Premier League result, latest updates and fan reaction
A brand new Premier League season is now up and running with Arsenal beating Coventry City in a meeting between the two title winners in north London on Friday night. For the first time in over two decades, the Gunners entered a campaign as defending champions and followed up their victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend with an even more comfortable win.
In the hope of defending their Premier League crown this year, Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis have been added to the ranks during the summer, while Ezri Konsa was presented to supporters before kick-off after finalising his £55million transfer from Aston Villa. Kai Havertz set the champions on their way inside 15 minutes before Bukayo Saka doubled the hosts’ lead midway through the first half. Martin Odegaard added a third for Arsenal four minutes after the interval.
The visitors - who won the Championship in impressive fashion last season - were dealt a major injury blow ahead of their first Premier League fixture in over 25 years. Follow Arsenal vs Coventry back below with expert analysis from Matt Verri at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal vs Coventry latest news
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Arsenal player ratings
Looked to be free of injury concerns and back to something close to his best. Alert to finish when Rushworth parried into his path. Too sharp for Dasilva and he kept cutting Coventry open from short corners. Really encouraging.
Looked almost embarrassed that he scuffed his shot that badly and it still went in. Kept things ticking over in the final third and involved in some lovely combinations with Saka and White. Also led the way for tackles.
Absolutely electric. So direct and his decision-making is brilliant. His pressing led to the first goal and it was then his ball across goal for Saka to double the lead. Ran Coventry ragged. Will score plenty and assist even more.
Easy win for Arsenal
Arsenal began the defence of their Premier League crown with a comfortable victory over newly-promoted Coventry on Friday night.
Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were all on target for the champions at the Emirates Stadium as Mikel Arteta’s side avoided a slip-up in the opening game of the new campaign.
90+2 min: Arsenal still pressing high in the 92 minute, forcing Coventry to boot the ball out of play. Arteta liked that.
90 min: Into four minutes of stoppage time as Merino forces a save from Rushworth.
89 min: Mosquera has not looked comfortable since Awoniyi came on and the Coventry sub wins a free-kick. Can the visitors find a late consolation?
Not with delivery like that as Torp gets far too much on his cross.
85 min: CHANCE!
Brilliant ball in by Torp right onto the head of Rudoni by the Coventry midfielder heads straight at Raya.
82 min: Final change of the night for Arsenal sees Hincapie replace Calafiori at left-back.
No minutes for Gyokeres against his former club as Gabriel shoots high and wide.
Tchaouna makes way for Hamer in Coventry’s final change.
79 min: Almost an immediate impact from Merino after combining with Madueke, but his effort lacks any real power and Coventry clear their lines.
76 min: Arsenal flexing their squad depth at this point as Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze replace Martin Odegaard and Christos Tzolis.