Saka shines as Arsenal tames Wolves
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were the goalscorers as Arsenal started the new Premier League season with a routine 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium.
Germany international Havertz had the home fans on their feet midway through the first half thanks to a fine assist from Saka in sunny north London.
David Raya had to make a brilliant save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen a debut Wolves goal midway through the first half.
Havertz and Thomas Partey went close for the hosts after the break before a revival from the visitors should have seen parity restored when Matheus Cunha shot straight at Raya after pouncing on a poor misplaced pass from William Saliba.
The brilliant Saka then ensured there would be no misstep to start a campaign in which Arsenal is looking to go one better than a second-place finish last term when he stepped inside Rayan Ait-Nouri on the right of the box and fired past Jose Sa at his near post.
Arsenal was agonisingly pipped to the title by Manchester City last season but has now won seven straight Premier League games, having gone on a streak of eight from 20 January to 9 March earlier this year.
Moreover, it has now scored in each of those matches – its best run since netting in nine from 31 December to 9 March.
Havertz is off the mark early for Arsenal and has two goals and two assists from his past three appearances in the Premier League.