Lampard relishes Premier challenge

AP:

Opening an English Premier League (EPL) season away to the defending champions and title favourites would be daunting for most promoted teams. For Coventry, it is cause for celebration.

Over the past 15 years, the central England club has endured liquidation, bitter battles with owners, relegation to the fourth tier, and the loss of its home ground — forcing ground shares with three different teams within 40 miles.

Now, after a 25-year absence, Coventry are back in the top division. The message to Arsenal today: Bring it on.

“It was a great year for us and the celebrations were great — it went beyond football in this city,” Coventry manager Frank Lampard said of promotion. “It went to a place where the city and football club went through tough times, so it heightened the feeling of what was achieved.

“I’m very excited to be here and get a club that’s been out of the Premier League for 25 years and get them back in. It is exciting at this moment, but we want to challenge and do well.”

Arsenal versus Coventry opens the 380-game season, delayed by the elongated World Cup. Predicting outcomes is difficult, given the raft of managerial changes — not least Pep Guardiola’s departure after 10 era-defining years at Manchester City.

One constant appears to be Arsenal’s stability and belief, underlined by their emphatic Community Shield win over City. It promises a tough start for Coventry — but a joyful one nonetheless.

KEY MATCH-UPS

The standout fixture may be Newcastle hosting Liverpool on Sunday. Both clubs are among nine starting the season with new coaches. Newcastle’s progress will be closely watched, having lost Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in the off-season — a year after selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool. Isak is expected to get a hot reception at St James’ Park.

At the Etihad, Manchester City begin a new era under Enzo Maresca, who replaces Guardiola. City must also adjust to life without Rodri, now at Barcelona.

Players to Watch

Premier League clubs have already spent close to US$3 billion in the summer window. Debuts to watch include Morgan Rogers (US$156m) for Chelsea at Fulham, Elliot Anderson (US$155m) for City against Bournemouth, and Tonali (US$133m) for Tottenham at Brentford.

An under-the-radar signing is Greece winger Christos Tzolis, who joined Arsenal from Club Brugge. He impressed in pre-season, registering two assists in the Community Shield.

Arsenal will be without France centre back William Saliba, sidelined long-term with a back injury.