Arsenal ready to land first blow of the PL season against Lampard's Sky Blues
Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence against Coventry City on Friday night with an opportunity to immediately establish the standards expected of the champions this season.
The Emirates Stadium will welcome Arsenal for their first league fixture since ending a 22-year wait for the title, while Coventry arrive back in the top flight after a 25-year absence.
On paper, it is difficult to imagine a greater contrast between the two sides.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a team approaching the height of its powers, strengthened further during the summer and carrying momentum from an emphatic 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City.
Coventry are beginning the difficult process of discovering whether the qualities that made them Championship winners can translate to the Premier League.
That does not mean Arsenal should expect an effortless evening.
Frank Lampard’s side collected 95 points on their way to promotion and enjoyed an encouraging pre-season, including victories over Espanyol and Monaco.
Coventry have also invested significantly in their squad ahead of their return, knowing survival will require them to adapt quickly to the increased speed and quality of the Premier League.
There could hardly be a tougher examination of that preparation than visiting the defending champions on opening night.
Lampard will surely recognise that allowing Arsenal to settle into the same rhythm they found against Manchester City could make this a very long evening for his players.
Arteta’s side were aggressive, sharp and inventive in Cardiff, scoring through Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard to overwhelm one of their expected title rivals.
Bruno Guimaraes also impressed on his first competitive start following his summer arrival, while Christos Tzolis provided another indication that Arsenal possess even greater attacking variety this season.
The champions now have to demonstrate that the performance was not simply an impressive curtain-raiser.
Arsenal could also welcome Bukayo Saka back into his starting line-up after the winger appeared from the bench against City, although William Saliba and Jurrien Timber remain unavailable.
Coventry should be respected rather than underestimated because promoted teams often approach these occasions with little to lose and enormous motivation to produce an upset.
However, Arsenal should have far too much quality if they reproduce anything approaching their Community Shield level.
The challenge is to play with the authority of champions without drifting into complacency.
Last weekend provided the first indication that Arsenal are determined to build on their breakthrough rather than simply celebrate it.
A convincing victory on Friday would reinforce that message and ensure the champions begin their defence exactly as they intend to continue it.
The post Arsenal ready to land first blow of the PL season against Lampard's Sky Blues first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.
