What a difference a title makes. The last time Arsenal played in front of their own supporters, you could cut the nervous tension with a knife as Mikel Arteta’s side scraped to a 1-0 victory over already relegated Burnley. Ninety five days on and having ended their long wait to be crowned champions the following night when Manchester City slipped up against Bournemouth, Arsenal gave Coventry a rude awakening in their first Premier League game for 25 years.
It’s now 46 matches since Arsenal lost at home to a newly promoted side and there was never any doubt about this result as soon as Kai Havertz – who scored the only goal against Burnley that turned out to be priceless – picked up where he left off by giving Arsenal the lead in the 15th minute. A tap-in from Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Ødegaard matching his Premier League tally from last season just after half-time made it almost the perfect start for the reigning champions.
