Defending Premier League Champions Arsenal beat newly promoted Championship side Coventry City 3-0 in the 2026/2027 Premier League opener at the Emirates on Friday.

Before kickoff, the Gunners unveiled their new signing, Ezra Konza, who joined the club from Aston Villa for over €50 million.

Kai Havertz found the back of the net in the first 15 minutes of the game to make it 1-0 for Mikel Arteta’s side off a smooth through ball from Riccardo Calafiori.

Arsenal doubled their advantage with a goal from Bukayo Saka in the opening 25 minutes courtesy of a team effort from Martin Odegaard, Christos Tzolis and Declan Rice.

After the break, the home side pounced on the EFL champions, increasing the lead to 3-0 as Ben White found the Gunners’ captain, Odegaard, in Coventry’s crowded 18-yard area, who dribbled easily past the opposition back line.  

The league opener saw solid performances from young talent Myles Lewis Skelly and Tzolis, who made his Premier League debut.

The Sky Blues struggled throughout the game to hold possession and create decent goal-scoring opportunities. However, their opening fixtures give them time to utilise the summer window and also build their form in the new campaign.

The game also marked the debut of  Nigerian international Taiwo Awoniyi, who joined the club recently after four seasons with Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal begin their title defence on a good note as they pursue their second win of the season against Aston Villa on August 31, while Coventry City face Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday.