Arsenal Claims Strong Victory in Premier League Opener
Arsenal opened their Premier League campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory at home, showcasing a dominant performance against their opponents. Manager Mikel Arteta expressed satisfaction with the team’s display, highlighting the strong connections and accuracy with the ball.
In a post-match interview, Arteta noted, “A great performance, a lot to like from the boys. We were so dominant, we had incredible connections, we were really accurate with the ball.” He acknowledged the challenges of facing newly-promoted teams, stating, “They are a really good side, really well-coached and clear in the way they want to hurt you. We didn’t give them chances until the last minutes.”
Arteta also commented on the team’s fast start, saying, “It was really positive, that’s what we have been working on and we are going to keep the demands at that level. We have the quality in the squad to do that. We always try to raise the level.” Reflecting on the recent signing of defender Ezri Konsa, he added, “It’s great. We recruited a great defender, a great personality as well so I am very pleased.”
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard also shared his thoughts after the match. “The perfect start. It’s always good to start with a win. A win at home, three goals and a clean sheet. It was really solid,” he said. Discussing his form following a challenging season, Odegaard remarked, “I think it’s a combination of many things. Last season was really tough for me with injuries. First winning the league here, then having a good World Cup, feeling fit and then a good break as well, all those things put me in a good place.”
Regarding teammate Christos Tzolis’ Premier League debut, Odegaard praised him, saying, “Amazing, he played a brilliant game. 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.”
When asked about the team’s ambition for the season, Odegaard asserted, “For sure that’s the mindset. We don’t feel we have to defend anything. We want to do it again and that’s the mindset. Last year is finished now, we want to do it again and we want to attack it and fight for it again.”
In statistical highlights, this match marked Arsenal’s joint-biggest win in a home Premier League opener, equalling a 3-0 victory from the 1994-95 season against Manchester City. Arteta recorded his 150th Premier League victory as Arsenal’s manager, becoming one of only five managers to achieve this milestone in fewer than 250 games. Additionally, Odegaard scored in consecutive appearances for the first time since December 2023, while striker Kai Havertz marked his longest goal-scoring streak at club level since May 2020.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Match of the Day: “A great performance, a lot to like from the boys. We were so dominant, we had incredible connections, we were really accurate with the ball.”
On how facing newly-promoted teams can be tricky: “They are a really good side, really well-coached and clear in the way they want to hurt you. We didn’t give them chances until the last minutes.”
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On the fast start: “It was really positive, that’s what we have been working on and we are going to keep the demands at that level. We have the quality in the squad to do that. We always try to raise the level.”
On signing Ezri Konsa and the competition for places: “It’s great. We recruited a great defender, a great personality as well so I am very pleased.”
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, speaking to Match of the Day: “The perfect start. It’s always good to start with a win. A win at home, three goals and a clean sheet. It was really solid.”
On if his World Cup with Norway has helped his form: “I think it’s a combination of many things. Last season was really tough for me with injuries. First winning the league here, then having a good World Cup, feeling fit and then a good break as well, all those things put me in a good place.”
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On Christos Tzolis‘ Premier League debut: “Amazing, he played a brilliant game. 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.”
On his comments about wanting to attack the title: “For sure that’s the mindset. We don’t feel we have to defend anything. We want to do it again and that’s the mindset. Last year is finished now, we want to do it again and we want to attack it and fight for it again.”
Did you know?
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This was Arsenal’s joint-biggest win when opening a Premier League campaign at home, along with another 3-0 victory in the 1994-95 season (v Manchester City).
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Mikel Arteta recorded his 150th Premier League victory in charge of Arsenal, and is now one of only five managers to reach 150 wins in fewer than 250 games (249), after Pep Guardiola (204), Jose Mourinho (231), Jurgen Klopp (237), and Alex Ferguson (247).
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Martin Odegaard has netted in consecutive appearances for Arsenal for the first time since December 2023. With tonight’s strike, he already has more goals across all competitions in 2026-27 (two) than he managed in 36 appearances in 2025-26 (one).
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Arsenal striker Kai Havertz has scored in four consecutive starts for the first time in English football, with this his longest run at club level across all competitions since May 2020 (four for Bayer Leverkusen).
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