Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka got Arsenal off to a flying start in their Premier League opener as they gave the defending champions a 2-0 lead against Coventry City inside 25 minutes.

The Arsenal fans were understandably in joyous mood ahead of the curtain-raiser, having seen the Gunners end their 22-year wait for a fourth Premier League title last season.

And, after their latest signing Ezri Konsa was introduced to the crowd, Arsenal did not need long take command against a Coventry side making their return to the top flight after 25 years away.

Havertz opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Christos Tzolis and Saka had earlier gone close, but the German made no mistake with his first chance as he slotted home from Riccardo Calafiori’s square pass.

Eight minutes later Saka made it 2-0, tapping in from point-blank range after Carl Rushworth could only succeed in turning Tzolis’ left-wing cross into this path.

Arsenal went into the game unbeaten in 45 Premier League home games against promoted sides, and their fast start made that run being stretched to 46 look like an inevitability.