Arsenal begin Premier League title defence against Coventry

Arsenal will begin their first Premier League title defence in 22 years on Saturday when they host promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium, seeking to become the first club since Manchester United in the early 2000s to claim back-to-back English league titles. The champions, who finished seven points clear of Manchester City last season to secure their first top-flight crown since 2004, enter the 2026-27 campaign in confident form after a convincing 3-0 victory over City in the Community Shield on Sunday. Goals from new signing Christos Tzolis and another player sealed the win against their deposed rivals, who are navigating a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure after a decade in charge.

Manager Mikel Arteta has bolstered his squad with the high-profile acquisitions of midfielder Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle for a reported fee of £75 million and winger Tzolis, who replaced the departed Leandro Trossard. Both players impressed during the Community Shield triumph, a result that may have underscored a shift in the balance of power. Arsenal also fell short in last season’s Champions League final, losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in May, a defeat Arteta...