Arsenal began their Premier League title defence in impressive fashion with a 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard scored as the Gunners dominated the game and picked up a comfortable opening-day win.
Milan van Ewijk was the only Dutch player to start the match, with the Coventry defender facing a tough introduction to life in the Premier League.
Arsenal opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Van Ewijk lost possession in his own half. Riccardo Calafiori quickly won the ball and played it to Havertz, who calmly finished to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead.
The home side continued to control the match, with new signing Christos Tzolis causing problems for the Coventry defence. The winger joined Arsenal from Club Brugge during the summer.
Saka then doubled Arsenal’s advantage after Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth passed the ball straight to him. The England international took full advantage and fired home for 2-0.
Arsenal added a third goal shortly after half-time. A good move down the right ended with Ben White finding Ødegaard, whose shot beat Rushworth after taking a slight deflection.
Coventry tried to respond and introduced Gustavo Hamer in the closing stages, but the visitors could not find a way through Arsenal’s defence.
The 3-0 victory gives Arsenal an ideal start to their title defence and will increase belief that the champions can challenge strongly for another Premier League crown.
