LONDON: Mikel Arteta said Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Coventry in their opening Premier League match showed the reigning champions have not lost their desire to continue their pursuit of trophies.
Arteta’s squad continued last season’s momentum when they easily defeated Coventry, who were clearly struggling at the Emirates Stadium thanks to goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
The Gunners are the favourites to defend their title and the confident performance suggests their challengers may face a tough task to rival Arsenal this season.
Arteta was also pleased to see how his players tried to pressure Coventry relentlessly, making it difficult for the newly promoted team to develop their game.
“They look the same as last season to me. What I tell them is to show more desire and earn the right to be better than everyone else.
“There’s a lot to like about this performance. It’s a great result, but also the way we started the game.
“It’s about control, clarity and understanding. It’s really impressive,” said Arteta.
Arteta also praised the consistency of his players as they repeatedly broke through Coventry’s defence, with new winger Christos Tzolis also impressing on his Premier League debut after joining Arsenal from Club Brugge.
“We were so dominant, had an incredible connection with each other and were very precise when it came to possession of the ball.
“The players need to be decisive and they did that today. They looked really compatible and played with a clear purpose,” he said.
Asked whether Arsenal’s big win, on the day they completed the transfer of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, proved they were stronger than other contenders, Arteta dismissed the notion.
“No. Because when I look at other squads, some of them are incredible and much bigger than us.
“We’re trying to improve the team and do what we feel is right for us and understand the players who can make us better and give us an advantage.
“Ezri is a player we really like in the defensive line. We got a great defender with a strong personality, so I’m very happy,” he added.
Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who was brought in from Newcastle in the summer transfer window, is sidelined through injury, but Arteta does not expect the player to be out for long.
Odegaard described the victory as an ideal start for Arsenal in the new campaign.
“A perfect start. Three goals and no conceded. It was a really solid performance.
“The quality of this team is incredible and we see it every day in training. The level of competition between us is also incredible and we all push each other,” said the Gunners midfielder.
In a clear illustration of how blunt Coventry’s attack was, it took the visitors 60 minutes before they registered their first touch inside Arsenal’s penalty area.
Frank Lampard’s side are back in the top flight after 25 years and the Coventry manager admitted his team have learned lessons from Arsenal.
“A great team and a good lesson for our players to see the true level required. They played like champions.
“It’s a tough match for us, but the experience of being in this stadium, the atmosphere at the start of the match and seeing the quality they have could be good for us.
“When you concede a goal, it’s not a good thing from us and that’s the reality,” said Lampard.