LONDON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Arsenal started their Premier League title defence with a bang by sweeping aside newly-promoted Coventry City with a dominant performance in a 3-0 home win on Friday.
The last time the London side retained the top-flight title was in 1935 but it took just 15 minutes for Kai Havertz to show Arsenal's intent as he coolly guided a Riccardo Calafiori cross into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.
New signing Christos Tzolis made the second goal eight minutes later in what was an impressive league debut for the Greek international following his signing from Club Brugge.
Tzolis was found out wide by Declan Rice after a break from defence and his quick low cross could only be parried by goalkeeper Carl Rushworth for the waiting Bukayo Saka to tap in.
Coventry, who are back in the Premier League after a 25-year absence, had to stay patient as Arsenal dominated possession, but they came close at the end of the first half with a looping Loum Tchaouna overhead kick that had keeper David Raya scrambling to get back.
Arsenal effectively killed the game off four minutes into the second period when captain Martin Odegaard grabbed a third with a scuffed finish that wrong-footed Rushworth.
Mikel Arteta's side had a blizzard of other chances as they swarmed forward but Coventry could have nicked a consolation goal with five minutes to go when a cross found Jack Rudoni unmarked but he could only head into Raya's arms.
TITLE DEFENCE STARTS HERE
Arsenal last attempted to retain the Premier League title in 2004-05, eventually finishing a distant second behind Chelsea, and no Gunners team have successfully defended the top-flight title since they won three leagues in a row ending in 1935.
This time around they are starting their campaign as one of the few clubs untouched by a close season of managerial upheaval at many of their rivals - including Manchester City and Liverpool who are viewed as Arsenal's most likely challengers.
They have also spent heavily again on new signings and Arteta is likely to have been particularly encouraged by the form of winger Tzolis.
The Greek international was a non-stop threat on the left-hand side, working up and down all game and beating Coventry's defenders on both the outside and when cutting in.
Tzolis hustled to initially win the ball for Havertz's goal, crossed the ball for Saka to score the second, went close himself on a number of occasions and was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by Eberechi Eze after 76 minutes.
Arsenal captain Odegaard said the win had been "the perfect start" to the season and heaped praise on Tzolis.
"Amazing, he played a brilliant game," said the Norway midfielder. "He has been brilliant all pre-season. He's so lively, it's hard to defend him. He's a really intelligent player, he always looks up and finds the right pass."
(Reporting by Marc Jones; Editing by Ken Ferris)
