Ødegaard says Arsenal must improve despite winning Premier League opener

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard says his side made a positive start to the defence of their Premier League title with a 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City, but admitted there were areas of their performance that needed refinement.

Arsenal opened the 2026-27 Premier League season with a comfortable win at Emirates Stadium, with goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Ødegaard securing all three points for Mikel Arteta’s team.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ødegaard said Arsenal deserved credit for their result but believed they could have been more effective in the final third.

“We looked good against Coventry and achieved a valuable victory at the start of the league, but there are things we could have done better. We could have scored and created more chances,” he said.

The Norway international added that Arsenal needed greater precision with their final pass, including in situations where he had opportunities to create openings for his team-mates.

“We can be more accurate with the final pass. I had a few balls that I should have played better, and then we can score more goals,” Ødegaard said.

The victory gave the reigning champions their first three points of the new campaign ahead of their meeting with Aston Villa on 31 August.

Coventry, meanwhile, will look to respond when they face Hull City on Saturday, 29 August, as they attempt to claim their first points of the season.

Ødegaard also praised Tzolis for his first appearance in the Premier League, describing the forward’s display as an impressive one.

“Tzolis’ first appearance in the league was great, and he put in an excellent performance. He is a very energetic player and difficult to defend against. He is extremely intelligent, always lifts his head and plays the right pass,” Ødegaard said.

The Arsenal captain was also asked about the club’s ambition to retain the Premier League title. He said the squad remained determined to challenge again and was approaching the new season with the same mentality that had helped them win the competition.

“Competing for the title? Definitely, that is the mentality. We do not feel that we have to defend anything. We want to do it again, and that is our mentality. Last season is over now; we want to repeat what we did, attack the competition and fight for the title again,” he said.

The result also marked a personal milestone for Arteta. The Arsenal manager recorded his 150th Premier League victory in his 249th league match in charge of the club.

Arsenal’s three-goal win therefore combined a strong beginning to their title defence with a clear message from Ødegaard that the champions believe they can still become more clinical and creative as the campaign progresses.