Mikel Arteta eases Guimaraes fears after champions Arsenal cost to opening win

Mikel Arteta’s side made a winning start to their title defence (John Walton/PA)

Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s “domination” as the Premier League champions started their title defence with a flawless 3-0 victory against Coventry at the Emirates Stadium.

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka scored in the first half before Martin Odegaard added a third as the Gunners – who last season ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League crown – cruised to all three points.

Arsenal headed into the new campaign as the bookmakers’ favourites and their performance on Friday night will cement their status as the team to beat.

“There was a lot to like about that performance,” said Arteta. “It was a good result but the manner in which we started the game, such domination, such clarity, such understanding and flow in the game, was really impressive.

“The start to a season is always tricky. We played a team that had a long time to prepare as well, and they are really good at what they do, but I was just really impressed with what I saw.”

England international Ezri Konsa was paraded to the crowd in the moments before kick-off just hours after he completed his £55million transfer from Aston Villa.

Fellow new signing Bruno Guimaraes was unable to make his home debut following a groin injury he sustained in Arsenal’s 3-0 Community Shield win against Manchester City last Sunday but Arteta allayed fears his £75m signing will face an extended period on the sidelines.

“No, we don’t expect it to be weeks at all,” said Arteta when quizzed on the former Newcastle midfielder’s injury.

“Let’s see how he evolves this week. He didn’t even want to stop. He wanted to carry on. Now we start to understand the character of the player, but I don’t expect that to be a big issue.”

Coventry were back playing in the Premier League for the first time in a quarter of a century and manager Frank Lampard hailed his side’s resilience after they conceded three times in 49 minutes.

“It was a tough game against a high-level opposition,” he said.

“They were best team in the league last year and they showed it and played like it tonight.

“For a lot of our players, it was their Premier League debut. We didn’t like the result, but it can happen here.

“It is a big learning curve for the players but the lads kept going right to the end.

“The important thing for me is to remain positive because Arsenal away will not define our season, it really won’t. Now we have to look to see how we can improve.”