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Maybe, just maybe, we are in the early stages of watching a dynasty. One that could define an era, one that could become folklore in the red half of North London, one that could rival stories of Arsène Wenger & Herbert Chapman. Maybe this is the greatest team ever to wear Arsenal's famous red, or maybe they were just playing a newly promoted side in their first top-flight game in 25 years; who's to say, perhaps both are true. But what cannot be denied is the assurance and borderline arrogance that Mikel Arteta’s side displayed as they sauntered to a 3-0 win over a helpless Coventry City. The angst, nerves and trepidation that came to define Arsenal games in the spring of last season in their ultimately successful bid for the title had dissipated, and the resetting of the league table and the lack of stakes had brought calm to proceedings, and it turns out that they are quite at the whole football thing. It is certainly true that the sense of occasion that so often dogged them in previous terms seemingly transferred over to their opponents on the evening, and Frank Lampard’s Coventry, as we are obliged to call them, faltered under the bright and garish Premier League lights. This was never going to be a pleasant opening fixture for those of a Sky Blue disposition, but this may well be viewed as a wake-up call last season’s Championship winners needed. This won't be easy; it takes more than throwing cash around. There are levels to this. So, beginning of an era of dominance for Arsenal or simply a routine win? We won’t know for a long while yet, but while the curtain of a new season rises, it is the time for supporters to let their imaginations run wild, and those of an Arsenal persuasion will be dreaming. ·Story of the Match There was, in the opening phases of the game, a swagger to the Champions. The shine of their first title in over two decades still gleamed before their adoring home crowd, as they moved the ball around nicely and quickly shut down any of Coventry’s early threats; their press was intense and well organised, and it paid dividends just 15 minutes in. Christos Tzolis & Riccardo Calafiori boxed in Dutch full-back, Milan van Ewijk, in the top right of the pitch by the defender's own corner flag. The Greek winger won it and played it into the feet of Calafiori, who spotted Kai Havertz’s run into the box, and he had no problem stroking the ball home to score the first goal of the Premier League season. Their lead was doubled just minutes later, as a rapid counterattack culminated in Tzolis playing a low pass across the face of goal; keeper Carl Rushworth got a big hand on it, and it fell to Bukayo Saka, who had the simplest of tasks of putting the ball into an empty net. Frank Lampard was keen for his side to play without fear at the Emirates Stadium, play with no regrets. But it felt as though his team had no say in the matter; they were entirely at the mercy of the Champions, helpless, and the Gunners looked bloodthirsty, desperate to stamp their authority on the season. Set-pieces, as ever, are a major talking point when Arsenal are a part of the conversation. While they were famed, especially over the last two seasons, for their physicality from corners, they were showing another side of themselves from dead balls in this game. They were several well-worked short routines from corners that, on every occasion, resulted in, at the very least, a half-chance. As the two teams re-entered the field for the second period, there were hopes that the Sky Blues maybe could force themselves upon the game slightly more than they had done in the first. But those hopes soon turned into pipe dreams, as Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard saw his effort with his weak foot from a couple of yards inside the box trickle over the line. The goal, if you are feeling generous and would like to count the Community Shield as a competitive game, was the Norwegian’s second of the campaign, one more than he managed in the entirety of last season. There were moments on the evening when Coventry were presented with the opportunity to transition at pace, but Arsenal’s two centre-backs, Gabriel & Cristhian Mosquera, were imperious. Dealing with any sniff of a threat with aplomb. As Eberechi Eze & World Cup winner Mikel Merino were brought on as the game was drawing to a close, the Gunners’ strength in depth was on full display, and while on this night at Emirates, it was simply a luxury to bring them on, further down the line, as the games mount up, these are the kind of changes that will transform matches for Arsenal in their favour, and is perhaps the biggest reason why they are favourites to retain their crown.