– comfortable 3-0 win over Coventry sends a clear message
Arsenal started last season as “almost-men” – but now they have winning confidence. This is already noticeable at the entrance to the Emirates Stadium, where a new gold sign adorns the façade: “Champions”.
Players and fans have taken the confidence from last year’s Premier League title – the first in 22 years – and are using it as a driving force in their quest to defend their title.
Atlético Madrid agree with Arsenal, but Julian Álvarez wants to go to Barcelona
Before the game against Coventry, every single Arsenal player was presented to the crowd, and throughout the 3-0 victory, the team was hailed with “champions of England” from the stands. – Coventry under Frank Lampard had actually lost before it all started.
Captain Martin Ødegaard, who set the final score to 3 – 0, wrote in his program note that the trophy has given the team “more confidence” – and emphasized that the mentality is not to defend the title, but to attack it. # Arsenal have made the documentary Martin Ødegaard “a modern leader” which you can find at the bottom of the article.
“We don’t feel that we have to defend anything. We will do it again – that’s the mindset. Last year is over. Now we want to attack and fight for it again,” Ødegaard said to Match of the Day. – Martin Ødegaard has also said for his own part, all the love he received playing for Norway in the World Cup lifted him as a player. He was deservedly named player of the match.
Arteta in exclusive company
Facing a newly promoted team is no easy task – Arsenal learned that the hard way in 2021 when they lost away to Brentford in the season opener. But since then, Arteta has transformed the club.
READ: Captain Virgil Van Dijk demands more – three Liverpool players confirmed on their way out
With the win over Coventry, he became only the fifth manager to reach 150 Premier League wins in fewer than 250 games – after Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho, Jürgen Klopp and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Tzolis impresses – Ødegaard brilliant
Summer signing Christos Tzolis has already shown that he can be a key player. The Greek, signed from Club Brugge for £34 million, had 17 goals and 23 assists in Belgium last year. Against Coventry, he caused trouble from the first minute and was responsible for the cross that became Saka’s 2-0 goal.
“He’s lively, difficult to defend against, and a very intelligent player. He always looks up and finds the right pass,” Ødegaard said of his new teammate.
Arteta was also full of praise:
“He has been phenomenal in the last few games. What he conveys as a player is so direct, so sharp and constant. He wants to create something, and he has an incredible number of different actions in the last 30 meters.
Full – and dangerous
Goalscorers Havertz, Ødegaard and Saka started together in the Premier League only once last season. Now, with all three on the pitch from the start, Arsenal could play their dominant game.
Within 23 minutes, they were leading 2-0 – the fastest time they have had such a lead since 2023.
Ødegaard, so hampered by injuries last year, looks back in great form. He has already scored more goals this season than he managed in 36 games in the whole of last season.
Transformed atmosphere at Emirates
Arteta has worked deliberately to create a feared home ground – and against Coventry, the atmosphere was electric. But the manager is aware that the real test comes when things get tough.
“Let’s see how we react when it’s 0-0, or when we’re down. Today was a good start, and 2-0 provided a good platform. But we’ve learned that the atmosphere helps the team, and it’s a joy to witness – and play in,” Arteta said.
Arsenal have sent a clear message: They are not champions who defend – they are champions who attack. And they intend to continue doing so.
