Arsenal earned an easy 2-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers with goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, kicking off their latest Premier League title challenge on Saturday.
It was not a free-flowing game under the summer sun but Mikel Arteta's side, once again seen as the team most likely to halt Manchester City's dominance, deserved the points.
Havertz headed in Saka's cross in the 25th minute but the hosts never felt entirely comfortable until Saka's pinpoint finish doubled their lead in the closing stages.
Wolves had their chances when Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rodrigo Gomes failed to trouble Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya from promising positions when the score was still 1-0.
“I'm very happy. In the first game you have some uncertainty about how you're going to respond,” Arteta said.
“We had our moment after the 1-0, when we weren't in control of the game, but after Saka's goal we felt a lot more comfortable. The way the lads do their job is incredible, so I'm very happy.”
It's been three months since Arsenal fell short of their first English title in 20 years on a thrilling final day of the season at home to Everton.
The atmosphere at the Emirates could not have been more relaxed this time in stifling north London, both on and off the pitch as Arsenal won without having to put in the effort.
Wolves, who gave debuts to new signings Jørgen Strand Larsen and Gomes, played the part of well-behaved guests, enjoying a good share of the ball but threatening little.
Arsenal, runners-up to City for the past two seasons, dominated the first half and took the lead when Saka found Havertz, who headed in for a corner to deny goalkeeper Jose Sa a chance.
However, Arsenal were careless and Wolves came closest to equalising when Hwang Hee-Chan's cross was headed in by Larsen, which Raya managed to save.
Arsenal struggled after the break but the points were assured when Saka, Arsenal's most dangerous player, cut in from the right and curled a left-footed shot past Sá.
“Saka is incredible. There are not many players like him in the world and he is still very young,” Havertz said of his colleague.
