Arsenal got their Premier League title defence off to a dream start as they cruised past newly promoted Coventry City 3-0.
Kai Havertz opened the scoring against last year’s Championship winners, who are back in the top flight for the first time since the 2000/01 season, in the opening 15 minutes.
Bukayo Saka doubled the Gunners’ lead a few minutes later before Martin Odegaard finished off an emphatic job shortly after the restart, with Coventry keeper Carl Rushworth getting his fingertips to something of a miskick but unable to keep it off the line.
Mikel Arteta’s side were in cruise control throughout and put in another dominant showing after dismantling Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield last week, with World Cup winner Mikel Merino nearly adding a fourth in stoppage time.
But this was a dispiriting return to the Premier League for the Sky Blues, with Frank Lampard aiming to simply keep his team in the to flight this season.
Follow all the reaction from the Emirates after Arsenal defeated Coventry:
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- REPORT: Arsenal deliver statement of intent as title defence begins - but one key question remains unanswered
- Arsenal cruise past Coventry 3-0 in Premier League opener
- Coventry defeated in first top-flight match since 2001
Arsenal deliver statement of intent as title defence begins - but one key question remains unanswered
22:30 , Miguel Delaney at the EmiratesIt will be called the performance of champions, except this was actually a throwback to well before Arsenal were champions, while suggesting much more.
And that last point is perhaps the most enticing theme from an opening-night Premier League win that was otherwise a formality; an exhibition win that was also a non-contest.
Arsenal deliver statement of intent - but one key question remains unanswered
'A perfect start'
22:35 , Mike JonesWe’ve got some reaction coming through from Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and expectedly he’s pleased with tonight’s result.
"The perfect start. It's always good to start with a win. A win at home, three goals and a clean sheet. It was really solid."
'A tough baptism for Coventry'
22:28 , Mike JonesHere’s some post match thoughts from Sky Sports pundit Ian Wright.
He said: “Arsenal look sharp, it was a tough one for Coventry.
“Going against a team who are under immense pressure to get it done.
“Arsenal had so much space, it was a tough baptism for Coventry today.”
Odegaard player of the match
22:23 , Mike JonesMartin Odegaard was handed the player of the match award.
He was influential in midfield and got a goal. If you include his Community Shield goal too he’s already beaten his tally from last season.
The other option for player of the match was Christos Tzolis. He had a fine night even though the goals and assists didn’t come.
He was threatening throughout and rapid out on the left wing.
Can Lampard keep Coventry up?
22:19 , Mike JonesCoventry boss Frank Lampard has only won one of his last 18 games as a manager in the Premier League (four draw, 13 defeats).
His sides have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of the last 17.
Among the elites
22:14 , Mike JonesMikel Arteta recorded his 150th Premier League victory in charge of Arsenal, and is now one of only five managers to reach 150 wins in fewer than 250 games (249), after Pep Guardiola (204), Jose Mourinho (231), Jurgen Klopp (237), and Sir Alex Ferguson (247).
He’s a Premier League winner and is among the elite managers in that statistic.
Complete dominance for Arsenal
22:10 , Mike JonesCoventry did improve in the second half but so did Arsenal.
The Gunners ended the game with an xG of 1.8 with 20 shots and six of them on target.
For the Sky Blues, they had an xG of 0.28 and four shots. Just one on target is a killer though.
Arsenal have a swagger
22:05 , Mike JonesJamie Carragher praised the Gunners’ performance on Sky Sports.
He said: “Arsenal have got a swagger about them, showing their class and I think a 3-0 score line doesn't do justice to how Arsenal have played.
“I think Coventry have got the toughest test they'll have this season out of the way.”
FT Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:59 , Mike JonesSo, we’ve got Arsenal sitting at the top of the table once again.
It’s a sight we’ve been used to over the last year and the Gunners certainly looked like they’ve picked up where they left off.
Martin Odegaard impressed again after his superb outing in the Community Shield.
It could be a good season for the Arsenal captain should he stay fit.
Full-time! Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:52 , Mike Jones90+4 mins: The full-time whistle goes and that’s that.
Mikel Arteta and his champions begin their title defence in fine fashion and without too much trouble.
They looked dangerous throughout and have the depth in their squad to replace their key players.
Goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard kick off the season in winning ways and it’ll take a lot to rein in the Gunners if they maintain this kind of form.
Coventry got their first taste of top-flight football in 25 years. At times it was tough and they know they need to improve but Frank Lampard won’t be totally disheartened by the performance. There are things to work on and improve.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:48 , Mike Jones90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play.
Mikel Merino, off the bench for Arsenal, shoots from just outside the area and forces a sharp save out of Rushworth who drops to the left and keeps the ball out.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:46 , Mike Jones88 mins: Time is ticking by now. Fans of both teams can be seen heading towards the exits to avoid the queues once the full time whistle goes.
It’s been a professional outing for Arsenal. Three goals, a clean sheet and not much in the way of danger for them.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:44 , Mike Jones85 mins: Gabriel takes a shot from around 25 yards but gets it nowhere near the target.
Arsenal are having fun now, Coventry not so much.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:38 , Mike Jones81 mins: Inside the last 10 minutes now and perhaps there’s one more goal in this game.
If it comes it’ll come to Arsenal.
White whips in a cross from the right wing and almost finds Calafiori on the opposite side of the pitch.
Coventry get a head to the ball and it rolls out for a throw in.
Calafiori is then subbed off in favour of Piero Hincapie.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:36 , Mike Jones78 mins: A bit of momentum for Coventry.
They edge forward and send the ball out to the right wing. There’s no way into the box and they’re forced to backtrack to keep hold of the ball.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:35 , Mike Jones75 mins: 15 minutes to play in this one and it’s still not the worst result for Coventry.
They need to improve and they need to do so quickly but coming up against the champions in your first fixture back in the top flight is an almost impossible task to manage.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:29 , Mike Jones72 mins: The tempo has dropped from Arsenal but they’re in no rush or hurry.
They’re keeping possession and outpassing Coventry. Zubimendi sends the ball to Madueke who shimmies it across to Odegaard.
He shoots from the edge of the area but the effort is blocked.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:25 , Mike Jones69 mins: Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi are introduced by Mikel Arteta now.
They replace Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Not bad changes those.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:23 , Mike Jones66 mins: Havertz wins a corner for Arsenal having combined with Tzolis to get into the box.
Rice jogs over to take the set piece and swings the ball into the middle.
It’s nodded out to Tzolis on the edge of the box and he fires a shot back at goal only for Rushworth to drop low and keep it out!
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:21 , Mike Jones63 mins: Calafiori and White are playing closer to the Coventry box than their own.
It’s tough for the visitors to exert any pressure on their hosts.
A first substitution sees Caleb Yirenkyi makes way for Victor Torp.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:19 , Mike Jones60 mins: An hour played and Arsenal continue to dominate the possession.
Coventry look to attack on the counter but Odegaard sprints back for the Gunners, wins the ball and is fouled in the process.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:15 , Mike Jones57 mins: A quick breakaway from the Gunners, after turning the ball over in midfield, sees Havertz drive forward before passing to Odegaard.
He threads the ball into the box for Tzolis but the forward has strayed offside and the attack dies out.
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:12 , Mike Jones54 mins: So it’ll be Arsenal back to the top of the table after the first Premier League match.
Coventry float a cross into the box from the right but it just goes over the head of Simms.
It’s a decent period for the visitors but can they do any damage to the champions?
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry
21:09 , Mike Jones51 mins: It’s pretty much game over now.
There wasa quick VAR check over Odegaard’s goal but nothing intrusive and it still stands.
Arsenal will puch for more now. A Tzolis cross flies over to Saka who returns the ball with a cross of his own bu Dasilva is there to leap and nod the ball away.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Coventry (Martin Odegaard, 49')
21:07 , Mike JonesThree!
Rice threads the ball between the lines and finds Odegaard who gives it to Saka on the right.
White runs to the byline and is fed by Saka as he makes his way into the box. He pulls the ball back and finds the captain who totally scuffs the effort.
Rushworth fumbles the ball having leaned the wrong way and it bobbles over the line. Arsenal have three!
Second half! Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
21:04 , Mike JonesArsenal kick off the second half at the Emirates. The next goal could be crucial for the outcome of the match.
Let’s see who gets it.
hT Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
20:58 , Mike JonesLooking at the stats confirm that the first half was a one-sided affair.
Arsenal had 67% possession and created 10 shots with three on target and two goals scored.
Coventry meanwhile only managed two shots in total and none that threatened David Raya.
In terms of xG, Arsenal’s is up at 1.29 with Coventry languishing at 0.04. Ouch.
HT Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
20:53 , Mike JonesGoals for Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka have sent the Gunners into a comfortable lead at the Emirates.
Is there a way back for Coventry?
Half-time! Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
20:48 , Mike Jones45+2 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half, just after Declan Rice sees a shot curl wide of the far post.
Not the start to the season Coventry and Lampard would have wanted but Arsenal are superior.
Mikel Arteta will be very pleased.
Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
20:43 , Mike Jones44 mins: Oh hello! Coventry earn some possession on the edge of the Arsenal box and the ball loops up to the edge of the D.
Tchaouna connects with a scissor kick and has Raya worried for a second. The goalkeeper tracks back to his line and looks to touch the ball over the crossbar but pulls out at the last minute as the ball lands on the roof of the net.
An unorthodox but decent effort by the Coventry forward.
Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
20:41 , Mike Jones41 mins: As half-time approaches, things could be worse for Coventry.
They’ve look a bit shakey at the back and Arsenal are hungry for goals. If they can get through the next few minutes and reset they could keep the Gunners at bay in the second half.
Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
20:38 , Mike Jones38 mins: Not really. Arsenal defend the free kick and send the ball up the pitch.
Tzolis is brought down by Van Ewijk and the Gunners have a set piece of their own.
Calafiori takes a shot from the edge of the box which is blocked but Arsenal are piling the pressure on.
VAR is looking at a potential penalty too. It was for Calafiori’s blocked shot but there’s no handball infringement.
Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
20:34 , Mike Jones35 mins: Saka dribbles the ball to the edge of the box and works it inside to Odegaard.
Ben White makes an underlapping run and is found by his captain.
White shoots on the turn but his effort is blocked.
Coventry quickly work the ball down the other end of the pitch and win themselves a free kick just outside the box on the left.
A chance to trouble David Raya perhaps?
'Utterly convincing from Arsenal'
20:32 , Lawrence Ostlere at the Emirates StadiumHere’s some insight from The Independent’s Lawrence Ostlere, reporting from the Emirates Stadium on the dominance that Arsenal have shown so far:
This has been utterly convincing from Arsenal, who have been dominant from almost the first minute.
“Even before then, in the parading of Ezri Konsa before kick-off, there was a sense of authority, of screwing down the lid on the Premier League trophy they own.
“The only question now is just how brutal this defeat will be for Coventry.”
Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
20:29 , Mike Jones29 mins: What do Coventry do from here?
They need a goal to get back into the game but also can’t concede anymore and Arsenal have twice eased through them.
A tricky situation for Frank Lampard to navigate.
The visitors come down the right side but give the ball away and Arsenal are off on the break again!
This time is comes to nothing.
Arsenal 2-0 Coventry
20:25 , Mike Jones26 mins: One for Havertz, one for Saka, two for Arsenal.
The champions have started this season in superb fashion and they’ll want more.
Mikel Arteta will call for a ruthlessness now that the advantage is firmly theirs.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Coventry (Bukayo Saka, 23')
20:23 , Mike JonesOh no.
It’s all too quick and too good for Coventry to handle.
The Sky Blues are cut apart in a sweeping move as Declan Rice pwoers through midfield and plays a one-two with Odegaard before finding Tzolis on the left.
Tzolis comes into the box and shoots, Rushworth denies him but only palms the ball into the path of Saka who turns it into the open net.
Arsenal 1-0 Coventry
20:21 , Mike Jones21 mins: A worringly sign for Arsenal as Gabriel goes to ground after a collision with Ellis Simms.
As both players challenged for the ball Simms lands on Gabriel’s foot. It’s a painful one but the defender is back on his feet and ready to continue.
Arsenal 1-0 Coventry
20:18 , Mike Jones18 mins: It coule be a long night for Coventry now.
It’s an early goal to concede which will only fuel Arsenal to score more.
Frank Lampard has a furrowed brow.
Kai Havertz is beaming.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Coventry (Kai Havertz, 15')
20:16 , Mike JonesThere’s the first goal!
It’s Kai Havertz who’s got the opening goal of the Premier League season.
A switch of play sends the ball out to Tzolis on the left wing. He stumbles to control it but the ball comes loose to Riccardo Calafiori.
He flicks the ball into the middle of the box where Kai Havertz runs onto it and sidefoots his effort into the bottom corner!
Arsenal 0-0 Coventry
20:13 , Mike Jones12 mins: Saka takes another Arsenal corner and lofts it into the middle of the area.
Carl Rushworth is their to leap and pluck the ball out of the air without too much trouble.
Coventry already look like they’re getting a taste for the rigours of the Premier League but they’ve defended well so far.
Arsenal 0-0 Coventry
20:09 , Mike Jones9 mins: Chance!
Arsenal are pushing for that opening goal. They flood the box and play a short corner. Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ben White pass the ball between them before White pulls it to the front edge of the box,
Here comes Tzolis who shoots with his first touch and fires it towards goal. Bobby Thomas makes the block to deny Arsenal the opening goal.
Arsenal 0-0 Coventry
20:05 , Mike Jones6 mins: Cristhian Mosquera looks to float an aerial pass in behind Bobby Thomas but the defender leaps highest and nods the ball on.
It flies past Christos Tzolis and Coventry can bring it forward.
They don’t get far as Arsenal recover the ball with Martin Odegaard feeding it back out to Tzolis on the left wing.
Tzolis dances inside, runs into the box and fizzes a shot high and wide.
Arsenal 0-0 Coventry
20:02 , Mike Jones3 mins: The corner is well defended by the Gunners who maintain possession amid a chorus of songs sung by the home crowd.
Arsenal work the ball along the back line and try to draw Coventry forward. They don’t bite though and maintain a deep block.
Bukayo Saka receives the ball on the right and looks for space before passing backwards.
Kick off! Arsenal 0-0 Coventry
20:00 , Mike JonesCoventry get the ball rolling and boot it over to the right side of the pitch.
The Sky Blues work the ball into the Arsenal box where Gabriel turns the ball behind for an early corner.
Arsenal vs Coventry
19:56 , Mike JonesArsenal make their way onto the pitch to great fanfare as the Premier League champions.
Coventry must match them physically tonight and try to stay in the game as long as they can.
The players all look ready, the 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off next...
Arsenal's record
19:50 , Mike JonesSince the start of 2023/24, Arsenal have won 17 of their 18 Premier League games against promoted sides, with the exception a 2-2 draw at Sunderland last season.
At home, the Gunners are unbeaten in 45 Premier League games against promoted sides, the longest run by any team in the competition’s history (W40, D5).
A long time to wait
19:45 , Mike JonesThis is Coventry City’s first Premier League match in 25 years and 94 days, the longest gap between games by a side in the competition’s history.
They’ve lost their last seven away league games against reigning top-flight champions, most recently going down 4-2 at Manchester United in April 2001.
Arteta on atmosphere of the fans
19:40 , Mike JonesMikel Arteta also spoke about what he is expecting from the supporters this evening as the new Premier League season gets underway.
“I think it's been an evolution in terms of the atmosphere three, four years ago, then two years ago, then last year,” he explained.
“When you are so close as well at some point, that atmosphere and the feeling of not doing it again can restrict you.
“But when I see the celebrations and the parade and those emotions, I'm very confident that we're going to have, in my opinion, the best stadium in the world and the best atmosphere in the world, because if we do that, we're going to be much closer to achieving what we want to do again.”
Arsenal boss has say on facing Coventry
19:35 , Mike JonesOf playing against a newly promoted team tonight, Mikel Arteta said: “I think every game is different and we’re going to face a really tough opponent.
“What they've done as a club is remarkable, what Frank has done is incredible. After so many years without being in the Premier League, they have earned the right to do that and they have earned it in a really special way.
“Not only that they are where they are, they absolutely deserve where they are and I love the way they play and the courage that they show in every game.”
Mikel Arteta made Arsenal champions – here’s how he can define a new Premier League era
19:30 , Mike JonesWith stability and squad depth the Gunners can capitalise on an unpredictable top-flight season and win back-to-back titles for the first time since 1935 says Miguel Delaney.
Mikel Arteta made Arsenal into champions now he can define a new Premier League era
Breaking the mold?
19:25 , Mike JonesThis will be Coventry’s first league match at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, though they’ve lost there in the League Cup (1-6 in 2012) and FA Cup (0-4 in 2014).
Only two teams (including Arsenal) have won their first ever league match at the ground – West Ham in April 2007 and Hull City in September 2008.
Top-flight, top class
19:20 , Mike JonesThis will be the fifth time the defending Premier League champions will meet the second-tier champions on the opening day of a new season with the top-flight winners winning each of the previous four encounters.
Arsenal have the edge then it seems.
Off to a good start?
19:15 , Mike JonesThis is Coventry City’s first Premier League campaign since 2000-01, when they started their season with a 3-1 defeat to Middlesbrough.
They’ve not started a league season with a win since beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 in the Championship in 2021/22 (two draws, two defeats in four seasons since).
'We're not coming into it with fear'
19:10 , Mike JonesHow will Coventry approach the game tonight?
Frank Lampard explained: "I want to show in our performance and how we approach the game that we're not coming into it with fear.
“We respect Arsenal greatly, but it doesn't mean you play with too much respect that you are passive.
“We can hopefully show we are a good team that want to do something this year."
Lampard on Coventry's Premier League return
19:05 , Mike Jones“I'm very excited to be here and get a club that's been out of the Premier League for 25 years back,” Frank Lampard said ahead of taking charge of Coventry’s first top-flight match in quarter of a century.
“It's exciting at this moment, but we want to challenge; we want to do well. It starts at Arsenal, you can’t start with a harder place to go.”
Saka and Rice start but Martinelli not in squad
19:01 , Lawrence OstlereLawrence Ostlere at the Emirates Stadium:
So there’s no more rest for Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who started on the bench for the Community Shield last weekend following the World Cup, but are straight into the starting XI for the first game of the season. With Bruno Guimaraes injured, Myles Lewis-Skelly starts in central midfield beside Rice and captain Martin Odegaard. Christos Tzolis is on the left wing and Kai Havertz is preferred to Viktor Gyokeres up front.
Tellingly, Gabriel Martinelli is not even in the squad despite being fully fit, as far as we’re aware. Could he be on his way out?
Why Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Man City is so ominous for title rivals
19:00 , Lawrence OstlereThe Gunners won the Community Shield giving Mikel Arteta an early-season triumph while condemning new City boss Enzo Maresca to defeat in his first game in charge.
Why Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Man City is so ominous for title rivals
Fans arrive at Emirates for Premier League opener
18:53 , Mike JonesThe fans have started to arrive at the Emirates Stadium ahead of this clash between the two teams.
The line-ups have just dropped and both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka start for Arsenal.
As does Christos Tzolis who makes his top-flight debut for the Gunners tonight.
Coventry team to face Arsenal
18:47 , Mike JonesCoventry XI: Rushworth; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Amenda, Dasilva; Grimes, Onyeka, Yirenkyi; Tchaouna, Thomas-Asante, Simms
Your City tonight. 📋 pic.twitter.com/V0nzaemLYF
— Coventry City (@CoventryCityFC) August 21, 2026
Arsenal team to take on Coventry
18:46 , Mike JonesArsenal XI: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Tzolis
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 21, 2026
Your Premier League opening day XI ✊
🤝 Presented by @deel pic.twitter.com/yRf2BEs3BA
Almost time for team news
18:42 , Mike JonesThe official line-ups will be dropping in a few minutes’ time. Will Viktor Gyokeres get the nod over Kai Havertz?
Will Bukayo Saka start? How will Frank Lampard set up his Coventry team?
We’ll find out shortly...
Five in a row?
18:36 , Mike JonesArsenal have won their opening match in each of the last four Premier League seasons, since losing 2-0 to Brentford in 2021/22.
The Gunners have only won their first match in five consecutive seasons once before in their league history, doing so between 2001/02 and 2005/06.
The Premier League lacks star power. Does that actually matter?
18:30 , Mike JonesFor all of the Premier League’s wealth and cultural dominance, most football’s biggest stars still play for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich. What does that mean and will it ever change, asks Miguel Delaney in his latest Inside Football newsletter.
The Premier League lacks star power. Does that actually matter?
What is Arsenal's goal this season?
18:24 , Mike Jones“Ultimately, the goal we all know is to win as many major trophies as we possibly can, and what we have to do is make sure that we click the fire every day to players and the staff to behave in that manner,” Arteta told the BBC this week.
“The players need to be the best version, and I feel fresh with a lot of energy and ready to go again. And now it’s like building a beast inside you that you want to go through that again, and you know what it’s going to take.”
Will Myles Lewis-Skelly stay at Arsenal this summer?
18:18 , Mike JonesMikel Arteta says he is “100 per cent” certain Arsenal’s homegrown player Myles Lewis-Skelly will be staying at the club this summer.
Lewis-Skelly has been rumoured to be of interest to rival clubs, including Manchester United, having played a key role for the Gunners in central midfield at the back end of last season’s title-winning campaign.
Asked how sure he was that the 19-year-old would remain an Arsenal player beyond the transfer deadline, the manager said: “100 per cent.”
History is against Coventry
18:12 , Mike JonesThis is the first Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Coventry since February 2001 which ended in a 1-0 win for the Gunners at Highfield Road.
Since Coventry did the double over Arsenal in 1993-94, they’ve won just one of 14 top-flight meetings (five draws, eight defeats).
That was a 3-2 win on Boxing Day in 1999.
Coventry to repeat history?
18:06 , Mike JonesArsenal and Coventry City have only faced in the opening league game of a season once – in 1993-94.
The Sky Blues won 3-0 at Highbury thanks to a hat-trick from Mick Quinn.
Can they repeat that feat tonight and kick off the season with a shock result?
The Premier League truth revealed by a summer of drastic change
18:00 , Mike JonesAfter major change and an absence of star names, Miguel Delaney explains how the Premier League’s unique selling point has shone brightly despite an absence of star power.
The Premier League truth revealed by a summer of drastic change
Arsenal given boost by availability of Saka and Rice
17:54 , Mike JonesThere were doubts over whether Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice would be ready for tonight’s match as both players arrived back into training late due to their involvement in the World Cup.
When asked if the two players are ready, Mikel Arteta said: “Yes, they're ready to be involved, yes.”
It was a different story when providing an update on Jurrien Timber however as Arteta added: “No, I said in the next few weeks. He's not training with the group yet.”
How does Mikel Arteta feel after winning the title?
17:48 , Mike JonesMikel Arteta finally got Arsenal over the line last season and won the Premier League title.
He spoke about his feelings in the pre-match press conference ahead of tonight’s game and answered what it is like to enter a new season as champions.
“I feel good, different, hopefully better,” he said.
“I'm more excited than ever, hungrier than ever. I can't wait to start the Premier League at home in front of our supporters, have a great performance and win the match.”
Lampard issues update in Wright
17:42 , Mike JonesCoventry will be without Haji Wright for tonight’s clash with Arsenal and the manager, Frank Lampard, issued an update on why.
“Haji Wright won’t be available for the Arsenal game,” Lampard said.
“He won’t be available for a little while, he’s got a very serious quad injury which is disappointing for Haji and for us.
“It’s certainly going to be a number of weeks, could even be up to 12 weeks.”
Latest odds
17:36 , Mike JonesArsenal are the heavy favourites to win this Premier League opener tonight.
The Gunners are 2/9 on to claim the win with latest betting sites while Coventry have an outside chance of winning with odds of 16/1.
The odds for a draw are 13/2.
Can Coventry pull off a surprise win this evening?
When can Ezri Konsa make his Arsenal debut?
17:30 , Chris WilsonThe England international could make his debut against his old side as the Gunners travel to Villa Park on 31 August.
He wasn’t registered in time to feature in tonight’s meeting with Coventry after sealing his £51m move from Aston Villa.
When can Ezri Konsa make his Arsenal debut?
Coventry's early team news
17:24 , Mike JonesCoventry will be without the injured Haji Wright and Luke Woolfenden, with Jack Rudoni and Frank Onyeka also doubts.
Predicted Coventry XI: Rushworth, Van Ewijk, Thomas, Amenda, Markelo, Onyeka, Grimes, Yirenkyi, Tchaouna, Simms, Thomas-Asante
What is Arsenal's early team news?
17:18 , Mike JonesArsenal will be missing William Saliba and Jurrien Timber through injury, while Arteta has a dilemma on his hands over whether to start Bukayo saka and Declan Rice, who are working back to full fitness after lengthy campaigns last term and at the World Cup.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Guimaraes, Saka, Odegaard, Tzolis, Havertz
How can I watch the game?
17:12 , Mike JonesViewers in the UK can watch the match on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
When is Arsenal v Coventry?
17:06 , Mike JonesArsenal host Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on Friday 21 August, with kick-off at 8pm BST.
Arsenal v Coventry
17:00 , Mike JonesThe Premier League is back, with reigning champions Arsenal beginning their title defence against last year’s Championship winners Coventry City.
Frank Lampard’s side have the toughest possible task to kick off their return to the top flight for the first time in over two decades, particularly as the Gunners looked so impressive as they cruised to a 3-0 Community Shield win over a dispirited Manchester City side in their last outing.
Both sides have strengthened in the transfer window, although Coventry have hardly spent big - particularly in comparison to Mikel Arteta’s side, who have brought in ex-Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis as well as securing the services of Piero Hincapie permanently after a loan spell last year.
These two sides are expected to finish at opposite ends of the table but Coventry will relish the challenge against the hot favourites for the title, while after that long-awaited title the current iteration of Arsenal will aim to prove they aren’t one-hit wonders.
Good afternoon!
15:06 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League opener which sees Arsenal host newly promoted side Coventry at the Emirates Stadium.
The Premier League champions will be aiming to kick start their title defence in fine fashion while the Sky Blues will hope to bring some confidence into the game having topped the Championship last year.
It will be a difficult task for Frank Lampard’s men but heading into the match as underdogs means they have nothing to lose against Mikel Arteta’s team.
We’ll have all the updates, team news and more throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
