Havertz, Saka and Odegaard score as champions cruise past promoted Coventry at the Emirates.
Arsenal made a flying start to their Premier League title defence on Friday, defeating promoted Coventry City 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated from the outset, with Kai Havertz opening the scoring in the 15th minute before Bukayo Saka doubled the advantage eight minutes later.
Martin Odegaard completed the victory shortly after the restart, scoring in the 49th minute to cap a commanding performance from the champions.
Arsenal, who won the Premier League last season for the first time in 22 years, showed no signs of complacency as they began their bid to retain the title.
The Gunners created several early chances, with new signing Christos Tzolis particularly influential on his first league start after joining from Club Brugge.
Havertz broke the deadlock after Coventry lost possession, allowing Riccardo Calafiori to deliver a cross that the German forward converted with a low finish.
Saka then made it 2-0 after Coventry goalkeeper Carl Rushworth parried Tzolis’ cross into his path, allowing the England international to finish from close range.
Odegaard added the third four minutes after halftime when his effort from inside the box took a deflection before beating Rushworth.
The result marked a difficult return to the Premier League for Coventry, who were playing in the top flight for the first time since 2001 after winning the Championship last season.
Arsenal will now begin preparations for their next league fixture away to Aston Villa, while the champions continue their quest to win consecutive Premier League titles for the first time since the 1930s.