City’s rude awakening
22 Aug 2026 - Coventry Telegraph By ANDY TURNER THE Sky Blue Army travelled more in hope than expectation as Coventry City were given a baptism of fire on their return to Premier League football after 25 long years. Up against the top flight champions, Arsenal showed no mercy as they raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 23 minutes, extending their lead to 3-0 four minutes into the second half as Frank Lampard ’s men barely laid a glove on the Gunners. The gulf in class was there for all to see and City understandably took a cautious approach early on as they weathered two corners in quick succession as the hosts exerted their authority. The Sky Blues kept them at bay for just over 14 minutes before Kai Havertz swept home a square ball from fed in from Riccardo Calafiori to just inside the box in line with the penalty spot as Aurele Amenda stretched to block. But the Gunners’ striker had far too much time and space to pick his spot past Carl Rushworth to place the ball into the b...