Arsenal began their English Premier League (EPL) title defence in impressive fashion, securing a 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night.

The champions picked up from where they left off last season, with goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard against a Coventry side that had Nigeria international Frank Onyeka in the starting line-up.

Havertz opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he swept home Ricardo Calafiori’s low cross with a first-time effort into the bottom corner to give Arsenal a deserved lead.

Saka doubled the advantage midway through the first half with a simple tap-in at the far post after Coventry’s goalkeeper parried a deflected cross into his path, ensuring Arsenal went into the break with a comfortable two-goal cushion.

Mikel Arteta’s side sealed all three points just four minutes into the second half when Odegaard received Ben White’s cutback before his scuffed effort trickled over the line.

The victory extended Arsenal’s impressive record of winning their opening league game of the season and marked their fifth consecutive clean sheet. It was also their fifth straight victory on the opening matchday.

Arsenal will travel to Aston Villa for their second match of the season, while Coventry will host fellow newly promoted side Hull City.