Arsenal opened their Premier League title defence with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard got the goals as Mikel Arteta’s side controlled the newly promoted visitors, while Christos Tzolis produced another hugely encouraging performance from the left.
Arsenal had started Havertz ahead of £63million striker Viktor Gyokeres, and the German immediately rewarded one of Arteta’s biggest selection calls of the opening night.
Here are the ReadArsenal player ratings from Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Coventry.
Arsenal player ratings vs Coventry City
David Raya – 6
Had almost nothing to do for the majority of the evening as Arsenal controlled proceedings. Stayed alert late on to comfortably save Jack Rudoni’s close-range header and secure the clean sheet.
Ben White – 7
Provided Arsenal with width on the right and became increasingly influential as the game developed. His overlapping run and cut-back created Odegaard’s goal for 3-0.
Cristhian Mosquera – 7
A composed opening-day performance alongside Gabriel. Coventry offered little sustained attacking threat, but Mosquera dealt calmly with what came his way and helped Arsenal dominate possession from the back.
Gabriel Magalhaes – 7
Comfortable defensively and authoritative whenever Coventry attempted to play directly. Almost added a spectacular fourth himself when he fired over from around 25 yards.
Riccardo Calafiori – 7.5
One of Arsenal’s most influential players before being replaced. Aggressive going forward and combined particularly well with Tzolis on the left, while his involvement helped create Havertz’s opener.
Declan Rice – 7
A controlled return to the starting XI. Kept Arsenal moving, provided security behind their more adventurous players and never allowed Coventry to establish themselves centrally.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7.5
Another mature midfield display. Comfortable receiving possession under pressure and continually helped Arsenal progress through Coventry’s midfield.
His performance was particularly valuable with £75m summer signing Bruno Guimaraes absent through injury.
Martin Odegaard – 8
Controlled much of Arsenal’s attacking play and capped his performance with the third goal.
Odegaard finished Arsenal’s third after excellent work from White down the right, giving the captain the reward his influence deserved.
Bukayo Saka – 8
A constant problem down Arsenal’s right and got the goal his performance deserved.
Saka doubled Arsenal’s advantage against Coventry and looked sharp despite his carefully managed preparation for the new season.
Christos Tzolis – 9 – MAN OF THE MATCH
Outstanding.
Tzolis carried his Community Shield form straight into the Premier League and repeatedly tormented Coventry from the left. Direct, confident and constantly willing to attack his defender.
His combination with Calafiori gave Coventry major problems and Arsenal suddenly look significantly more balanced with dangerous one-against-one threats on both wings.
After providing two assists against Manchester City at Wembley, another eye-catching display strengthens the argument that Tzolis could become one of Arsenal’s most influential summer additions.
Kai Havertz – 8
Arteta made the big call by selecting Havertz ahead of Gyokeres and the German immediately rewarded him.
Havertz opened the scoring with a clinical finish before continuing to link Arsenal’s attack effectively.
Two competitive games have now brought two goals and an increasingly convincing claim to remain Arteta’s starting striker.
Arsenal substitutes
Noni Madueke – 6
Replaced Saka with Arsenal already firmly in control. Tried to attack Coventry down the right but entered at a stage when the intensity of the contest had dropped.
Martin Zubimendi – 6
Helped Arsenal manage the closing stages after replacing Rice. Neat and composed without needing to take risks.
Arteta has already explained his intention to manage Zubimendi more carefully this season after the Spaniard reached 55 appearances last term.
Mikel Merino – 6
Came on for Odegaard and helped Arsenal see the game out professionally.
Piero Hincapie – 6
Replaced Calafiori and contributed to preserving the clean sheet without being seriously tested.
Eberechi Eze – 6
Given the final stages in place of Tzolis. Arsenal were already managing the game by the time he entered and there was little opportunity to significantly influence proceedings.
Mikel Arteta – 8
The biggest call was Havertz over Gyokeres.
It worked.
Arsenal remained patient when Coventry initially frustrated them, produced three different goalscorers and controlled the closing stages without unnecessary drama.
The result also followed the numbers, with Opta having given Arsenal an 80.4 per cent chance of victory before kick-off.
Tzolis continuing on the left also looks increasingly difficult to argue against.
A clean sheet, three goals and three points represents an almost ideal start to Arsenal’s Premier League title defence.
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