As far as opening Premier League games go, I don’t think you can get much better than what happened at The Emirates on Friday night.
The only thing I was concerned with was the result, but we got a lot more besides! The result was pretty emphatic, and enough to keep us at the top of the Premier League at the time of writing, the team performance was fantastic, we scored three goals from open play, there were some great individual performances and we got a new signing presented pre-match (Ezri Konsa pictured above). Not bad at all.
The lineup
The lineup was pretty predictable (I think I only got Madueke for Saka wrong in my prediction) and looked really strong. Shame about Guimaraes completely missing out through injury, but it doesn’t sound too bad, so hopefully he returns against Aston Villa for the next game. There was the usual drama surrounding who wasn’t on the bench as Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were both left out of the squad completely and seem certain to leave the club before the end of the window. Other than that, there was little to note about the squad. Oh, one final thing, Ethan Nwaneri came into the squad, which I think may be interesting as if we miss out on that marquee forward, I can see Nwaneri remaining with the squad, with the Jesus and Martinelli still leaving and Eze moving out wide as a left wing option.
The game
I didn’t think we started particularly well and was pretty nervous after the first 5 minutes. I thought Coventry looked the better side, roared on by their raucous fans in the corner of The Emirates and were really taking the game to Arsenal.
Thankfully, this didn’t last, as Arsenal gained a foothold in the game and slowly started to impose themselves on proceedings. The midfield was clicking, with Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly working perfectly in tandem and Martin Odegaard carrying over his fine form from the Community Shield, as he buzzed around to create effect.
The real bright spark that looked most likely to open things up though, was the new man, Christos Tzolis. I knew he was positive, but wow!! I wasn’t expecting this. People (myself included) have made the Leandro Trossard comparison quite a bit since Tzolis’ arrival, but I’ve completely changed my mind after this showing. The way he keeps the ball under pressure is definitely Trossard-esque, but the way he drives forward at every opportunity is the complete opposite.
Trossard has his place in Arsenal history secured, for good reason, but I was often frustrated with how he used to slow down Arsenal attacks with his multi-touch approach. Tzolis’s style of play is in stark contrast. From his first touch of the ball, he gets his skates on and drives forward, dragging the whole team with him, lifting the crowd and expectation, putting the opposition immediately on the back foot before they can settle. So impressive.
It was therefore no surprise to see our opening goal come our left hand side, as Tzolis pressed a Coventry into surrendering possession in the right back position. The ball broke to Riccardo Calafiori who pounced in an instant and played an inch perfect pass into the path of Kai Havertz, who swept home an excellent finish, making it look very simple, as top class players do.
From then on, Arsenal didn’t really look back. Shortly after the opener, a driving run by Rice, opened up the pitch with the ball eventually finding it’s way to the influential Tzolis who’s first time left footed cross could only be pushed into the six-yard box by the Coventry keeper. Unfortunately for Coventry, this is where Bukayo Saka was waiting to tap home, which he did with minimal fuss to send The Emirates faithful into dreamland. Two goals from open play in the space of eight minutes…what were we seeing right now?!?!
That’s how it stayed at the break, although it probably could have been more, as Arsenal’s attack had been purring all half. I saw a telling stat after the game stating that this was only the second Premier League game that Saka, Odegaard and Havertz have started together since December 2024!!! That is absolutely mad. Amazing how much better you can look in attack, when you’re three best attackers actually play together!! Keeping those three fit is going to be really key this year.
Arsenal put the game beyond Coventry early in the second half, with Martin Odegaard sweeping home a fortunate finish at the near post after near telepathic link-up play between Ben White and Bukayo Saka. Again, look what a difference it makes having those three playing together on the right together!
That was it in terms of goals and there wasn’t much to note about the game as a whole once that third goal went in. Coventry threatened to pull one back late on, but Rudoni headed tamely at David Raya, who went on to claim his first clean sheet of the season, in his personal quest for a fourth consecutive Golden Glove.
It was nice to see Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino appear from the bench and the Arsenal PA announcer seemed to be making a deliberate attempt to ‘big them up’ introducing them as ‘World Cup Winners’ which felt a little pointed towards Zubimendi, to maybe try and put an arm around him in some way after a summer of uncertainty surrounding his place in the Arsenal squad.
A key moment in the game that may have gone unnoticed
One moment that I really loved in the game and gave me massive confidence that we really can go on to retain this title was some time in the second half when we made a mess of a free kick in the Coventry half. The Sky Blues raced forward on the counter and despite being three nil up against a seemingly defeated promoted side, the pace and intensity in which the Arsenal players – particularly star attackers Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, was really something to behold. It might not have been as clear on the TV footage, but watching the game live, you could see how unbelievably determined the Arsenal players were to recover the situation and keep the clean sheet in tact.
Anyone who questions the hunger of this Arsenal team needs to only go back and watch this footage.
Questions to think about
This game did leave me with two questions to think on that I will share with yourselves, that I really didn’t think I would be asking, just a couple of weeks ago, but now seem to be genuine puzzlers!
1. Does Jurrien Timber get back into this team when fit?
2. If we bring in a ‘marquee’ left winger, would they start over Christos Tzolis?
I’m really note sure on either to be honest. Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Summary
So that’s it. Arsenal win three nil for the second time in five days to start the season off in the grand manor, with a display full of attacking verve and creativity, that seemed beyond this team for much of last season. More of this please Arsenal!
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