LONDON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Considering the depths to which Coventry City descended in their 25-year Premier League absence a 3-0 defeat against champions Arsenal on their return to the big time on Friday would barely have raised a frown amongst their supporters at The Emirates.
Since finally falling through the trap door in 2001 after 34 years as a top-flight team there have been two more relegations, including one to the fourth tier nine years ago.
The club was also exiled outside its own city after being locked out of their stadium by a bitter rent dispute so Coventry fans are nothing if not a hardy flock.
They would have arrived in North London with hope rather than any logical belief of anything other than a heavy defeat.
Hope faded fast when Arsenal forward Kai Havertz scored with a slick finish after 15 minutes and when Bukayo Saka added a second soon after, Coventry's reality check after romping to the Championship title last season was fully under way.
Frank Lampard's side did not wilt though and, despite conceding a third goal just after halftime and taking almost an hour to have a touch in Arsenal's penalty area, they at least completed the damage-limitation exercise.
Lampard named five of his close-season signings in his lineup -- Carl Rushworth, Aurele Amenda, Frank Onyeka, Loum Tchaouna and record signing Caleb Yirenkyi, who was booked and substituted. But it would hasty to make a judgement on what they might offer on the basis of a horrible opening fixture.
"We were a little bit in our shells," promotion-winning captain Matt Grimes told Sky Sports. "Our season will not be defined on nights like this. We learned a lot but coming here against the champions it was going to be a tough ask."
Friday's clash with title favourites Arsenal was something of a free hit for Coventry, but their first home game against fellow promoted team Hull City on August 29 will likely shed more light on their chances of staying up.
"It goes without saying we have more chance of beating Hull than the champions away," Grimes said.
BARELY A SNIFF
Coventry were the highest scorers in the top four divisions last season with 97 goals but they barely had a sniff against Arsenal apart from one late chance for Jack Rudoni.
They have spent around 130 million pounds ($177.23 million)on players though and with Lampard, who signed a new three-year deal at the end of last season, at the helm promising a brand of brave football, Coventry's fans will approach the months ahead believing the club can emulate Sunderland who ended their own long top-flight absence with a top-half finish last term.
Survival will be the priority for the Midlands club and Lampard said Friday's loss was a lesson for what is ahead.
"I won't judge the lads on that tonight, we will improve," he added. "I'm calm. The supporters were amazing. They understand.
"A few years ago this club was in League Two (fourth tier), playing in different stadiums and when we came in we were 17th in the league. We take the positives in defeat even if it's hard.
"Leeds came here first (away) game last season and lost 5-0 after being promoted and stayed in the Premier League."
Friday's drubbing offered a reminder of the mountain Coventry must climb but, after years spent scaling far steeper ones, few at the club will panic after the first stumble.
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(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
