Defending Premier League champions Arsenal opened the 2026/2027 season with a 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates on Friday.
Before kickoff the Gunners showed off their big summer buy, Ezra Konza, who arrived from Aston Villa for over €50 million.
Kai Havertz broke the deadlock inside the first 15 minutes, finishing off a smooth through ball from Riccardo Calafiori. Arsenal doubled their lead inside 25 minutes when Bukayo Saka scored after a nice team move involving Martin Odegaard, Christos Tzolis and Declan Rice.
After the break Ben White found Arsenal captain Odegaard in Coventry’s crowded 18-yard area; Odegaard slipped past the back line and made it 3-0.
Youngsters Myles Lewis Skelly and Tzolis — making his Premier League debut — put in solid performances. Coventry struggled to keep the ball and create clear chances, but the opening fixtures give them time to use the summer window and build form.
The match also marked the debut of Nigerian international Taiwo Awoniyi, who joined after four seasons with Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal start their title defence on a high and now look ahead to a trip to Aston Villa on August 31. Coventry turn their attention to the EFL Cup, facing Plymouth Argyle in the second round on Tuesday.
