Arsenal sweep Coventry aside 3-0 to start title defence with a bang

LONDON, Aug 21 : Arsenal started their Premier League title defence with a bang by sweeping aside newly-promoted Coventry City 3-0 thanks to goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard in a dominant performance at The Emirates on Friday.

The last time the London side retained the top-flight title was in 1935 but it took just 15 minutes for Havertz to show Arsenal's intent as he coolly guided a Riccardo Calafiori cross into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.

New signing Christos Tzolis made the second goal eight minutes later in what was an impressive league debut for the Greek international following his summer move from Club Brugge.

Tzolis was found out wide by Declan Rice after a break from defence and his quick low cross could only be parried by goalkeeper Carl Rushworth for the waiting Saka to tap in.

Coventry, back in the Premier League after 25 years, had to stay patient as Arsenal dominated possession, but they came close at the end of the first half with a looping Loum Tchaouna overhead kick that had keeper David Raya scrambling to get back.

Arsenal effectively killed the game off four minutes into the second period when captain Odegaard grabbed a third with a scuffed finish that wrong-footed Rushworth.

Mikel Arteta's side had a blizzard of other chances as they swarmed forward but Coventry could have nicked a consolation goal with five minutes to go when a cross found Jack Rudoni unmarked but he could only head into Raya's arms.

"There was a lot to like in the performance and obviously it's a great result," Arteta told reporters. "The manner in which we started with such a domination, clarity, understanding and flow in the game it was really impressive."

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