Italy's Calafiori and Kayode spark Premier League openings

League football is back this weekend, not only in Serie A, and action in the Premier League is underway as Italy internationals Riccardo Calafiori and U21 star Michael Kayode have starts – Calafiori assisted Arsenal’s opening goal in a 3‑0 win over Coventry City on Friday, and Kayode scored for Brentford in a 3‑0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Arsenal debut sets the tone

The Premier League season opened with reigning champions Arsenal hosting newly‑promoted Coventry City on Friday evening.

Riccardo Calafiori started at left‑back, playing 81 minutes in a back four and helping Arsenal keep their first league clean sheet of the season.

He provided the assist for the opening goal, delivering a low cross from the left flank that met Kai Havertz, whose finish opened both the match and the 2026‑27 Premier League campaign.

Calafiori had already recorded a goal involvement and a clean sheet in his first two competitive outings, having scored in the Community Shield win over Manchester City the previous weekend.

Kayode sparks Brentford win

Michael Kayode featured for Brentford on Saturday and added a goal in their 3‑0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

His strike came from the second phase of a corner, where he poked the ball into the roof of the net as Brentford swept the North London side aside at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Tottenham, led by Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi, entered the season after consecutive 17th‑place finishes in 2024‑25 and 2025‑26, and their €115 million signing Italy international Sandro Tonali endured a debut that rated 4/10.

Destiny Udgoie made a brief five‑minute cameo for Tottenham in the same match, but his time on the pitch was too short to influence the result.

New signing Andrew Robertson adds competition for the left‑back spot, meaning Calafiori may find his minutes harder to come by as Arsenal’s defensive options expand this season.