Arsenal made a flying start to their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 thumping of newly-promoted Coventry City in the season opener at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners showed their readiness to go again with an impressive demolition of Man City in the Community Shield last weekend and they sent another statement to their rivals for the crown with this demonstration of dominance. Coventry became the first team to have no touches in the opposition box or make a tackle in the first half of a Premier League game, since Opta started collecting that data in 2007.
Once again new signing Christos Tzolis shone. The Greece international notched two assists at the Principality Stadium and was involved in Arsenal's first two goals on his Premier League debut, first winning the ball back for Riccardo Calafiori to tee up Kai Havertz and then sending in the cross Coventry 'keeper Carl Rushworth diverted into Bukayo Saka's path. "What a left-winger Arsenal have got," purred Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher on co-commentary.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player This was a reality check for Coventry on their return to the top flight after 25 years away. They failed to make a tackle in the first half - they could not get near Mikel Arteta's men. It did not get much better for them after the interval, with Martin Odegaard's miscued finish adding a third for Arsenal just four minutes into the second period.
With Ben White, Saka and Odegaard combining brilliantly through the right channel, Tzolis electric on the left, and Havertz looking sharp ahead of some slick midfield play from Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal already look up to speed and formidable. New Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes was missing with a thigh injury he picked up in the Community Shield win over Man City. Their defence was barely tested but Ezri Konsa's pre-match welcome, following his £55m move from Aston Villa, was a reminder they have brought even greater strength and depth to that department, too.
Tougher tests are to come, but they are going to take some stopping. Coventry, meanwhile, will be relieved they do not have to face Arsenal again until April. They host Hull City next weekend in a fixture which will carry far more significance for their season. 5: SHOT!
Tzolis shoots over after cutting inside from the left flank. 7: OVER! Saka's shot is deflected over after Tzolis pops up on the right. 8: CLOSE! Tzolis is involved in everything Arsenal do in attack but sends his second shot of the game over after a well-worked short corner. 9: OVER!
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