‘Hungrier Than Ever’: Arteta Chases 150th Premier League Win Against Coventry

Mikel Arteta will go in search of his 150th Premier League victory as Arsenal manager when the defending champions open their title defence against newly promoted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on Friday night, declaring that he is ‘hungrier than ever’ to begin another campaign on a winning note.

Arteta has won 149 of his 248 Premier League matches in charge of Arsenal and victory over Coventry would make him only the fifth manager in the competition’s history to reach 150 wins in fewer than 250 games, following Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp and Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Spaniard said the summer break had allowed him to recharge and return with renewed energy as Arsenal target back-to-back Premier League titles.

‘I feel good, different, hopefully better. More excited than ever. Hungrier than ever,’ Arteta said. ‘I can’t wait to start the Premier League at home in front of our supporters, have a great performance and win the match.’

Arteta insisted his players are equally determined to retain the title but challenged them to demonstrate even greater desire than they showed last season.

‘I have no question that our players have that desire and that ambition to do that. Now it’s something that we have to earn and do daily,’ he said.

Friday’s opponents will be led by Frank Lampard, who has guided Coventry back to the Premier League for the first time since 2001. Arteta praised Lampard’s achievement and described Coventry’s promotion as fully deserved.

Arsenal enter the fixture having won their opening Premier League match in each of the last four seasons and will be seeking a fifth consecutive victory on the opening weekend.

They have also won all four previous Premier League opening-day meetings between the defending champions and the reigning second-tier champions.

The Gunners have dominated promoted opposition in recent years, winning 17 of their last 18 Premier League matches against newly promoted teams since the beginning of the 2023/24 season. Their only setback in that run was a 2-2 draw at Sunderland last season.

Arsenal are also unbeaten in their last 45 Premier League home matches against promoted sides, winning 40 and drawing five, the longest such run in the history of the competition.

The fixture will be the first Premier League meeting between Arsenal and Coventry since February 2001, when the Gunners secured a 1-0 victory at Highfield Road.

Coventry have won only one of their last 14 top-flight meetings with Arsenal and will be playing their first league match at Emirates Stadium.

For Arteta, however, the immediate focus is on reaching the 150-win landmark while sending an early statement in Arsenal’s bid to retain their crown.