Arsenal, Marseille and Real Betis begin league campaigns with wins and clean sheets
MADRID (AP) — Arsenal got its title defense off to a perfect start Friday with a 3-0 win over newly promoted Coventry City in the opening match of the…
Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori displays his acrobatics to thwart Coventry City's Carl Rushworth during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Coventry City in London on August 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
In the opening match of the Premier League, Arsenal secured a perfect start with a 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City. Christos Tzolis played a role in setting up two goals, as the defending champions showcased their dominance throughout the game. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Odegaard scored for Arsenal, while the visitors failed to seize additional scoring opportunities.
In France, a second-half brace from Amine Gouiri propelled Marseille to a 4-0 triumph over Strasbourg on the first day of the Ligue 1 season. Gouiri, who netted eight goals in 22 league matches last season, scored twice in the match, one from close range and the other from the penalty spot, after Strasbourg conceded a red card. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg added a fourth goal in stoppage time, providing Marseille's coach Bruno Génésio with an excellent start to the season.
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