Arsenal open Premier League title defence with 3-0 win over Coventry
Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard scored as reigning champions Arsenal beat newly promoted Coventry City 3-0 in their Premier League opener on August 21, 2026.
In short
- Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard scored as reigning champions Arsenal beat newly promoted Coventry City 3-0 in their Premier League opener on August 21, 2026.
Arsenal began their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 home victory over newly promoted Coventry City on August 21, 2026.
Kai Havertz opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Riccardo Calafiori helped win possession and supplied the forward. Bukayo Saka doubled the advantage with a close-range finish after Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth could only divert a cross into his path.
Captain Martin Ødegaard added the third four minutes after halftime, converting from Ben White’s pass to end Coventry’s hopes of a comeback.
The result extended Arsenal’s unbeaten home run against promoted Premier League teams to 46 matches. It also gave manager Mikel Arteta his 150th Premier League victory in charge of the club.
Coventry were playing their first Premier League match in 25 years. Frank Lampard’s side now turn to their first home fixture as they begin their campaign to remain in the top flight.
