Three standout players from Arsenal's comfortable win over Coventry City

Arsenal picked up from where they left off as their Premier League defence began with a thumping 3-0 win against Coventry City.

But not just where they left off in 2025/26. Oh no.

Dial the clock back to 2022 instead and, then, you get a sense of the majesty they produced on their first night back: a swashbuckling effort, irresistible link-up play and the two-goal lead which the first 23 minutes of home action deserved.

In comparison, Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues looked every inch like the proverbial deer in the headlights here.

Three standout players from Arsenal’s comprehensive 3-0 home win against Coventry City

That is to be expected though as a trip to Emirates Stadium is no easy task, especially when you feel the home team have less weight on their shoulders. Perhaps players and fans alike will find football more enjoyable this term.

Here are the three standouts from a curtain-raising, roof-raising win for The Arsenal.

Thanks to a modest spend, Christos Tzolis togged out as the sole new face among the Champions on the opening day.

Yet he played like someone who has graced this stage for years (not entirely wrong given his previous spell at Norwich).

It was a top-class debut from him, full of Trossard-esque style via his ability to make the ball stick and wriggle his way out of the tightest areas. Maybe a bit Arsenal-esque too as he fluffed his lines on the few occasions when he had sight of goal.

No one will hold that against him, though. Tzolis looks set to quickly repay his £34m price and he took a first step towards it with his involvement in several Gunners attacks, even putting in a fair defensive shift whenever Coventry tried to break.

Barring a late move for that elusive forward, it seems plausible that fans saw a glimpse of the future at LW for Arsenal on Day One.

Martin Odegaard had the chance to stake his claim after a tough, injury-hit campaign in 2025/26 that never got going for him.

He took full advantage here, producing an artful display which helped Arsenal embrace their new tag as champions. The captain recorded a match-best three chances (as per Sky Sports), he was named Man of the Match, and he rounded off the scoring with his first goal of the season, albeit via the aid of poor goalkeeping from Carl Rushworth in the Coventry goal.

Not everything he tried came off but that is the nature of the beast when you let your creative juices flow, and no one is going to lament the odd misplaced pass when the others all leave them purring in their seats.

It follows a strong end to last year and a good World Cup with Norway. If he can avoid the injury toils of yesteryear, then Arsenal might just believe that Odegaard can get back to delivering at the peak of his powers once more.

Take that valuation and double it, then keep doubling it until even eyes in the Saudi Pro League begin to water.

MLS formed the main beneficiary from the Bruno Guimaraes blow and, as he did in May, he showed Arsenal why they would be mad to consider selling him, such was the level of performance he put in here.

He was simply brilliant. As always, the 19-year-old received so well under pressure and fired through the odd slide-rule pass to split the Coventry defence, while his own shots on goal forced Rushworth into action.

Amidst stiff competition in the squad, MLS still does impress every time he pulls on the Arsenal shirt and it will be very hard for Mikel Arteta to ignore him once the squad is back up to a full complement in a few weeks.  

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