Your title defense started with a statement
Arsenal 3–0 Coventry at the Emirates on Friday, and Kai Havertz scored the first goal of the new Premier League season (2) (4). Champions, yes. Complacent, no. Havertz, Ødegaard and Saka never let Coventry breathe.
Tzolis paid back the fee in one night
Christos Tzolis, signed from Club Brugge for 40 million euros, set up two goals on his debut (3). Fans are already calling it a robbery at that price, with some joking the winger is worth 130 million now (3). Arteta heard the praise and agreed: "I think he's earned it" (1).
Bruno's groin is not a worry, says Arteta
Bruno Guimarães missed the win with a groin problem, and Mikel Arteta played it down afterwards (2). No drama. Your next match is Monday, Aug 31 at Aston Villa, and Arteta's tone suggests Bruno should be in contention.
Get the next Arsenal FC brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Álvarez said no
Julián Álvarez has rejected an offer from Arsenal, reportedly set on Barcelona (5). A confusing one: Sky Sports' paper round said Atletico Madrid are ready to sell the Argentine to you (11). The player himself appears to have other plans.
The Vinicius saga, put to bed
FourFourTwo argues the long-running Vinicius Jr to Arsenal rumor was doomed from the start (9). Adam Crafton, quoted in the piece: Arsenal were ready to do "seriously disruptive business" this summer (9). The piece's verdict is blunt. He "wouldn't have worked" at the Emirates.
Lampard took the lesson gracefully
Coventry boss Frank Lampard did not hide from the result: "They played like champions" (10) (12). Havertz, his old Chelsea teammate, was the one who punished Coventry first. David Raya kept the clean sheet.
Fan-reaktioner
Gunner fans online are handed over the Odegaard performance, with the club account itself naming him Player of the Match as "the orchestrator" (thread). The loudest noise, though, is for Tzolis, whose debut has the sub convinced the Club Brugge fee was a steal (thread).
