Arsenal start EPL title-defence with easy Coventry win

English Premier League champions Arsenal began their title defence with a commanding 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry at the Emirates stadium.

The Gunners treated fans to crisp attacking football that produced two first half goals through Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, with captain Martin Odegaard sealing the win early in the second period.

Nigeria international Frank Onyeka started the match but could not stop the sleek Gunners from gunning down a Coventry side that also named his compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi on the bench following his transfer earlier this week.

• Osun: Police Arrest Armed Robbery Syndicate, Recover AK-47, Ammunition
• Konsa joins Arsenal in £55 million deal

Havertz scored Arsenal’s last goal at home last season and he continued with the first goal this season with a first-time finish from Ricardo Calafiori’s cross for 1-0 to the home side.

Saka made it 2-nil on 23 minutes with a tap-in at the far post, while Odegaard finished off a crisp team passing move with a scuffed finish that rolled over the line to seal an easy win for the North London champions who could have added more goals.

Frank Lampard’s side offered little to no threat as Arsenal closed out the second half without breaking a sweat.

Arsenal made it five consecutive seasons with victory in their first match, while Coventry continue the wait for a first EPL win in over 25 years, the longest for any club. They also became the fifth consecutive EPL champions to win its first match of the season.

Mikel Arteta’s side shoot to the top with three points, and visit Aston Villa on matchday two.