Mikel Arteta loved how Arsenal opened their Premier League title defense with a dominant 3-0 win over newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday.
Frank Lampard understood being on the other end, though he definitely love it.
MORE — Arsenal v Coventry City as it happened, highlights
Arteta’s Arsenal took a 2-0 halftime lead through Kai Havertz and Bukao Saka, then essentially put the game away just after halftime when Ben White set up Martin Odegaard’s 49th-minute marker.
Coventry barely threatened, producing just 0.06 xG on three shot attempts and just two touches in the Arsenal box.
It was largely how Arteta would’ve drawn it up, with goals being spread around, substitutions not a problem, and a clean sheet for David Raya.
Mikel Arteta reaction to Arsenal’s win over Coventry City
What did you think of the game? “It was a great performance — a lot to like from the boys. We were so dominant with incredible connections. We scored two wonderful goals before halftime. We had to manage the game and brought some players in for minutes so a really good gamer.”
“They are a good side, really well-coached. They are clear in how they want to hurt you.”
After a busy summer, your players clicked right into gear: “It was really positive. That’s what we’ve been working on. We’re going to keep the demands on the XI. There we some incredible performances and we will try to raise the level.”
On signing Ezri Konsa: “We were missing a defender and only had seven. We recruited a great defender and personality, so very pleased.”
Frank Lampard reacts to Coventry’s humbling loss at Arsenal
How tough was that match? “Clearly a big challenge. Fantastic team and a good lesson to our boys to show there are levels. They played like champions and the experience was probably good for us. Not great from us, the goals.”
“You’ll see more from us than that. Arsenal will beat a lot of teams here. There were some bits I didn’t mind. We’ll improve so I don’t want to judge the lads on tonight. I’m calm with it. Our support was amazing but we lost the game and will lose our lessons.”
Did this game underscore the task ahead of you? “Every game won’t look like that. This is an Arsenal team buoyed by where they are at the moment. This was a team that was built and coached to get to this.”
“I’m more concerned about the personality. I think we were a little bit timid in the first half.”
“It’s hard. Leeds came here and lost the first game 4-0 and stayed in the Premier League. Players will get better, fitter. There are adjustments for us to make and we’ll make them.”
