Heading into the start of the new campaign, the Gunners are touted by many as favorites to win 3-0 as they begin their possible back-to-back titles.
That scoreline looked like a worse start for Frank Lampard’s side, who were just promoted from the Championship for the first time since 2001. Coventry City won the Championship title last season with 95 points, all good spirits were cut slow as the referee called the time to end at 90+4.
How it happened at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026. LondonKey MomentsKai Havertz opened the scoring cleanly in the 15th minute by slotting into the bottom corner. Bukayo Saka doubled the lead shortly after with a close-range tap-in in the 23rd minute. Martin Ødegaard sealed the points right after the second-half restart with a deflected/scuffed shot that beat goalkeeper Carl Rushworth.
Although Mikel Arteta’s side completely dominated possession and cruise-controlled the remainder of the match to secure the opening three points of the new campaign, Can they end the season with titles ahead of 2026/27? Arsenal has signed 3 players for the men’s first team Piero Hincapié: Defender from Bayer LeverkusenIllan Meslier: Goalkeeper from Leeds UnitedChristos Tzolis: Winger from Club Brugge
My advice to Conventry City is to focus on home game vs Hull City on Aug 29, which will define the season and learn from their mistakes, which I think from the formation which they used in Championship 5-4-1, in my opinion, didn’t work vs elite possession and Frank Lampard.
Approach 5-4-1 low block to frustrate possession teams
Problem*: “Failed to make a tackle in the first half.” Couldn’t get near Arsenal
Arsenal were simply too good. Controlled, clinical, and defensively solid. For Coventry, it was a free hit vs champions. The real test for both comes next.