Arsenal hand promoted Coventry a lesson, not another crisis

LONDON, Aug 21 : Considering the depths to which Coventry City descended in their 25-year Premier League absence a 3-0 defeat against champions Arsenal on their return to the big time on Friday would barely have raised a frown amongst their supporters at The Emirates.

Since finally falling through the trap door in 2001 after 34 years as a top-flight team there have been two more relegations, including one to the fourth tier nine years ago.

The club was also exiled outside its own city after being locked out of their stadium by a bitter rent dispute so Coventry fans are nothing if not a hardy flock.

They would have arrived in North London with hope rather than any logical belief of anything other than a heavy defeat.

Hope faded fast when Arsenal forward Kai Havertz scored with a slick finish after 15 minutes and when Bukayo Saka added a second soon after, Coventry's reality check after romping to the Championship title last season was fully under way.

Frank Lampard's side did not wilt though and, despite conceding a third goal just after halftime and taking almost an hour to have a touch in Arsenal's penalty area, they at least completed the damage-limitation exercise.

Lampard named five of his close-season signings in his lineup - Carl Rushworth, Aurele Amenda, Frank Onyeka, Loum Tchaouna and record signing Caleb Yirenkyi, who was booked and substituted. But it would hasty to make a judgement on what they might offer on the basis of a horrible opening fixture.

"We were a little bit in our shells," promotion-winning captain Matt Grimes told Sky Sports. "Our season will not be defined on nights like this. We learned a lot but coming here against the champions it was going to be a tough ask."

Friday's clash with title favourites